The importance of visibility

EMMA CHANDLER, PUBLICATIONS COORDINATOR

In recent years, The Geelong College has embarked on a transformative journey towards fostering a more inclusive environment for our LGBTQIA+ students. The introduction of The Geelong College Rainbow Alliance (GCRA) is the most impactful development to date.

Founded in 2018 by teacher Lachy Joyce, the GCRA is student-led with support from College staff. The group meets fortnightly during lunchtimes, as well as organising visibility events and fundraisers to support LGBTQIA+ organisations.

The impact of the group’s existence is not insignificant, with students sharing their experiences:

“Having a space to go to and a group of people that I can talk to makes coming to school each day a lot easier.”

“With all the negative news in the media about queer peopleespecially trans people and drag queens - it’s great to have a space where we can just laugh.”

Membership is open to any student who would like to join, and as one student shared, the group proudly embraces all identities.

“We accept and are supportive of everyone - regardless of whether they’re somewhere on the LGBTQIA+ rainbow or an ally.”

“It’s great to have a place where we don’t have to teach others what being queer means.”

This inclusive environment fosters a sense of belonging and empowers students to thrive. While the core membership consists of students from Year 9 to Year 12, the GCRA organises periodic meetings at Middle School. The group also collaborates with their counterparts at Sacred Heart and Clonard Colleges through joint meet-ups.

While creating a safe space for LGBTQIA+ students is the primary role of the GCRA, the group also plays a crucial role in education and advocacy. This cause is close to the hearts of GCRA members, some of whom have shared their thoughts:

“I think it’s important that students, and people in the wider community, are aware that LGBTQIA+ people exist and how to support them.”

“I recently had a conversation with another student who had originally told me that he believed ‘trans people don’t exist.’ Hopefully, I changed his mind by the end, but it just really shocked me and showed me how far we still have to go to have a truly inclusive society.”

“When I came out as bisexual, people close to me told me bisexuality didn’t exist and that I had to make a decision - I could either choose to be ‘gay’ or ‘straight,’ but anything else was just ‘confused.’ It wasn’t a great feeling, and if I could do something to stop someone else from feeling that way, I want to.”

These personal stories highlight the importance of engaging in conversations that dispel misconceptions and continue to challenge stereotypes that still exist. In doing so, we build a betterinformed and compassionate school community and prepare our students for life outside College walls.

“LGBTQIA+ people are everywhere, a part of every community, whether people like it or not. Everyone’s existence is valid - regardless of how they identify or who they love.”

Australian statistics reinforce the urgency and importance of LGBTQIA+ visibility and groups such as the GCRA in secondary schools, particularly when it comes to mental health.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, LGBTQIA+ young people are significantly more likely to experience mental health challenges compared to their heterosexual and cisgender peers.

The Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health, and Society found that 75% of LGBTQIA+ youth had experienced some form of discrimination, which can have a profound impact on their well-being.

However, studies have also highlighted that LGBTQIA+ youth with access to supportive spaces, inclusive policies, and acceptance from their families and schools experience better mental health outcomes.

There are also close links between positive school experiences for LGBTQIA+ young people and better academic performance and educational engagement. Specifically, when students feel accepted and supported, they are more likely to attend school regularly, actively participate in class, and achieve better academic outcomes.

The Geelong College GCRA is driving a remarkable transformation - redefining LGBTQIA+ representation, fostering a culture of acceptance, and protecting the mental health of LGBTQIA+ students along the way. Through its existence, College is paving the way towards a more compassionate and supportive environment where every student feels seen, heard, and valued.

What does LGBTQIA+ stand for?

Here’s a breakdown of each term within the LGBTQIA+ acronym:

Lesbian: Women who are attracted to other women.

Gay: Initially used to describe men attracted to other men, the term has expanded to include all individuals who are attracted to the same gender, regardless of their own gender identity.

Bisexual: Individuals who are attracted to both their own gender and other genders.

Transgender: Individuals whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth.

Queer: Can be used to describe anyone whose sexual orientation or gender identity differs from societal norms.

Intersex: People born with physical characteristics (such as chromosomes, hormones, or reproductive organs) that do not fit typical binary notions of male or female.

Asexual: Individuals experience little to no physical attraction towards others, but may still experience romantic, emotional, or aesthetic attractions.

+: Symbolises the inclusion of other identities that may not be explicitly mentioned in the acronym.

As language and understanding evolves over time, the LGBTQIA+ acronym continues to grow to embrace a broader range of identities and experiences.