By BEN CAMERON
KOOWEERUP Secondary College has taken an official stand against homophobia.
Safe Schools Coaliation Australia spokesperson and Yarra Glen footballer Jason Ball spoke to 170 year nine students at Kooweerup Secondary College last month about the inclusion of young people who are gay, bisexual or transgender.
Now a Beyondblue spokesperson, Mr Ball was the first Australian Rules footballer to come out at any level of the game, and launched a national campaign calling on the AFL to tackle homophobia.
It spawned the No To Homphobia campaign, which was shown on the big screen during the final series.
“When I was at school, homophobic language and behavior from students was commonplace, and the teachers were not empowered to take a stand against it,” he said.
“I felt that I had to go out of my way to hide my sexuality because I genuinely feared what would happen if some people found out.
“This felt like there was always a weight on my shoulders and it no doubt limited the friendships and bonds I could have developed with my school friends at that point in my life.
“Just like in a sporting team, a school absolutely must be a place that same-sex attracted and gender diverse young people feel safe and free to be themselves and that’s why I am proud to support the work that Koo Wee Rup Secondary College are doing with Safe Schools Coalition.”
He said he wished the coalition had existed during his time at school, that was “visible in its acceptance of all students regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, and that did not tolerate homophobia or transphobia”.
