Ferntree Gully
Belgrave
Mail Covering the Dandenongs in the Yarra Ranges & Cardinia Shires
Tuesday, 1 September, 2015
8
Intense debate
A Mail News Group publication
18-19
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Be who you are By ANEEKA SIMONIS A SAME-SEX attracted student from Emerald Secondary College said her school’s decision to screen controversial LGBTI film ‘Gayby Baby’ would further support those dealing with questions about sexuality and identity. The Year 12 student, who came out as gay earlier this year, was one of several students planning to attend the community screening, from 6.30pm, on Friday night 28 August. “The screening is about awareness and letting everyone know it’s OK to be who you are ... all people are different and have experiences that are different,” she said. Gayby Baby, a film about kids growing up with same-sex parents, has attracted nation-wide attention, with the New South Wales government enforcing bans against the screening of the film in state schools during class hours. The VCE student, a key member of the school’s Sexuality and Gender Acceptance (SAGA) group, described the interstate ban as “disappointing”, suggesting her school’s acceptance of sexually diverse individuals helped her come out. “Everyone has the right to be who they are,” she said. The school screened the film during Wear it Purple day - a day in support of young people irrespective of their sex, sexuality or gender identity. School principal Mike
Jaremczuk said the screening, which invited students and community members to watch voluntarily, complemented the school’s sexuality unit of education. “The film is a reflection on the broader society ... it’s about breaking down stigma and changing people’s perceptions on samesex attraction,” he said. Premier Daniel Andrews took to Facebook to condemn the NSW Government over its decision to ban in-school screenings, suggesting the decision would have negative implications on young people struggling to understand their own identity. “All kids need to know there are lots of different kinds of families, and all kids need to know that the most important thing in any family is love,” he wrote. “And this isn’t just about what young people might think of the movie. “I’m also worried about what they might think of themselves. “Young people who are same-sex attracted often lead a quietly difficult life and they deserve our full support. “If you want to talk about things that confuse and distress young people, let’s talk about telling thousands upon thousands of them that they aren’t ‘normal’. “No-one deserves that and it’s just not true. “We won’t put up with this kind of cruel rubbish in our state.”
Run for Jack
THE Dandenong Ranges community and beyond is being urged to support the Run for the Hills fun run organised to help out youngster Jack Mullan, 9, and his family. Jack has a rare life-threatening condition and, to provide some support, the fund-raiser is being held at the South Belgrave Reserve on Sunday, 20 September. Jack is pictured with his sister, Lucy, and mum, Belinda, with organiser Trish Flanagan (behind). See full story page 5. 143584 Picture: ROB CAREW
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AN UPPER Ferntree Gully man was killed after being struck by a car when crossing the Burwood Highway on Thursday, 27 August. The 75-year-old man was crossing the highway away from the pedestrian crossing about 8pm when he was hit by a car travelling west. Senior Constable Julian Apps of Maroondah Highway Patrol said the fault was not with the driver because witnesses said the man failed to look before crossing the road. “Witnesses all corroborate the same story that the man was at fault and the driver hasn’t done anything wrong,” he said. “They didn’t see him until it was too late.” Police believe the man was crossing to the Upper Ferntree Gully train station when he crossed against the don’t walk signal, but was not quite on the pedestrian crossing. Snr Constable Apps is asking people to take care when crossing roads, especially when weather conditions are bad. “Always cross at the pedestrian crossings,” he said. “Wait for the green light and make sure you look both ways before crossing the road and be careful.” The road toll stands at 171, up from 164 at the same time last year.
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