LGBTQI population rising after 'burst of acceptance'
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The Advertiser
24-06-2025
- The Advertiser
Consent education crucial to sexual violence prevention
Consent education in schools must continue to adapt to stay relevant to young people to help reduce gender-based violence in Australia, experts say. School curriculums were changed in 2023 following a mandate to provide consent education after youth advocate Chanel Contos pushed for the change. Ms Contos, 26, founded Teach Us Consent four years ago after an Instagram post went viral and alerted her to the dire need for consent education in Australian schools. While the mandate was a huge milestone, Consent Labs co-founder Angelique Wan said much of the burden had landed on teachers to roll out the new curriculum when they may not have received training to deliver it in line with best practice. "Just because (consent education) is in the curriculum does not mean the work is done," she told AAP. "We need to ensure it is delivered in a way that is relevant to young people and in order to do that you need to lean on experts and upskill teachers and parents to have those conversations." Education on consent and respectful relationships has been widely linked to preventing sexual violence. It also helps to build empathy in young people, improve sexual health outcomes and result in people being more likely to use condoms and less likely to have unwanted pregnancies or contract a sexually transmitted disease. But a growing trend among young people to return to gender norms with many turning to the "manosphere" and following "tradwives" on social media demonstrates an ongoing need for consent education to stay relevant. Specifically, young boys needed to have a safe space to explore masculinity, Ms Wan said. "There is a lot of confusion among young boys about what it means to be a man, away from the traditional stereotypes," she said. "We want to use education to counter deeply ingrained beliefs and attitudes and we also know that rigid gender stereotyping can lead to violence." As for whether consent education was different for male and female students, Ms Wan said the message was that all genders needed access and understanding of consent and respect. "We need to role model that everyone, regardless of their gender, needs to be having these conversations," she said. "It's also not a one-size-fits-all because there are nuances like cultural or LGBTQI diversity within schools that need to be taken into account when designing the curriculum." 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 Consent education in schools must continue to adapt to stay relevant to young people to help reduce gender-based violence in Australia, experts say. School curriculums were changed in 2023 following a mandate to provide consent education after youth advocate Chanel Contos pushed for the change. Ms Contos, 26, founded Teach Us Consent four years ago after an Instagram post went viral and alerted her to the dire need for consent education in Australian schools. While the mandate was a huge milestone, Consent Labs co-founder Angelique Wan said much of the burden had landed on teachers to roll out the new curriculum when they may not have received training to deliver it in line with best practice. "Just because (consent education) is in the curriculum does not mean the work is done," she told AAP. "We need to ensure it is delivered in a way that is relevant to young people and in order to do that you need to lean on experts and upskill teachers and parents to have those conversations." Education on consent and respectful relationships has been widely linked to preventing sexual violence. It also helps to build empathy in young people, improve sexual health outcomes and result in people being more likely to use condoms and less likely to have unwanted pregnancies or contract a sexually transmitted disease. But a growing trend among young people to return to gender norms with many turning to the "manosphere" and following "tradwives" on social media demonstrates an ongoing need for consent education to stay relevant. Specifically, young boys needed to have a safe space to explore masculinity, Ms Wan said. "There is a lot of confusion among young boys about what it means to be a man, away from the traditional stereotypes," she said. "We want to use education to counter deeply ingrained beliefs and attitudes and we also know that rigid gender stereotyping can lead to violence." As for whether consent education was different for male and female students, Ms Wan said the message was that all genders needed access and understanding of consent and respect. "We need to role model that everyone, regardless of their gender, needs to be having these conversations," she said. "It's also not a one-size-fits-all because there are nuances like cultural or LGBTQI diversity within schools that need to be taken into account when designing the curriculum." 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 Consent education in schools must continue to adapt to stay relevant to young people to help reduce gender-based violence in Australia, experts say. School curriculums were changed in 2023 following a mandate to provide consent education after youth advocate Chanel Contos pushed for the change. Ms Contos, 26, founded Teach Us Consent four years ago after an Instagram post went viral and alerted her to the dire need for consent education in Australian schools. While the mandate was a huge milestone, Consent Labs co-founder Angelique Wan said much of the burden had landed on teachers to roll out the new curriculum when they may not have received training to deliver it in line with best practice. "Just because (consent education) is in the curriculum does not mean the work is done," she told AAP. "We need to ensure it is delivered in a way that is relevant to young people and in order to do that you need to lean on experts and upskill teachers and parents to have those conversations." Education on consent and respectful relationships has been widely linked to preventing sexual violence. It also helps to build empathy in young people, improve sexual health outcomes and result in people being more likely to use condoms and less likely to have unwanted pregnancies or contract a sexually transmitted disease. But a growing trend among young people to return to gender norms with many turning to the "manosphere" and following "tradwives" on social media demonstrates an ongoing need for consent education to stay relevant. Specifically, young boys needed to have a safe space to explore masculinity, Ms Wan said. "There is a lot of confusion among young boys about what it means to be a man, away from the traditional stereotypes," she said. "We want to use education to counter deeply ingrained beliefs and attitudes and we also know that rigid gender stereotyping can lead to violence." As for whether consent education was different for male and female students, Ms Wan said the message was that all genders needed access and understanding of consent and respect. "We need to role model that everyone, regardless of their gender, needs to be having these conversations," she said. "It's also not a one-size-fits-all because there are nuances like cultural or LGBTQI diversity within schools that need to be taken into account when designing the curriculum." 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 Consent education in schools must continue to adapt to stay relevant to young people to help reduce gender-based violence in Australia, experts say. School curriculums were changed in 2023 following a mandate to provide consent education after youth advocate Chanel Contos pushed for the change. Ms Contos, 26, founded Teach Us Consent four years ago after an Instagram post went viral and alerted her to the dire need for consent education in Australian schools. While the mandate was a huge milestone, Consent Labs co-founder Angelique Wan said much of the burden had landed on teachers to roll out the new curriculum when they may not have received training to deliver it in line with best practice. "Just because (consent education) is in the curriculum does not mean the work is done," she told AAP. "We need to ensure it is delivered in a way that is relevant to young people and in order to do that you need to lean on experts and upskill teachers and parents to have those conversations." Education on consent and respectful relationships has been widely linked to preventing sexual violence. It also helps to build empathy in young people, improve sexual health outcomes and result in people being more likely to use condoms and less likely to have unwanted pregnancies or contract a sexually transmitted disease. But a growing trend among young people to return to gender norms with many turning to the "manosphere" and following "tradwives" on social media demonstrates an ongoing need for consent education to stay relevant. Specifically, young boys needed to have a safe space to explore masculinity, Ms Wan said. "There is a lot of confusion among young boys about what it means to be a man, away from the traditional stereotypes," she said. "We want to use education to counter deeply ingrained beliefs and attitudes and we also know that rigid gender stereotyping can lead to violence." As for whether consent education was different for male and female students, Ms Wan said the message was that all genders needed access and understanding of consent and respect. "We need to role model that everyone, regardless of their gender, needs to be having these conversations," she said. "It's also not a one-size-fits-all because there are nuances like cultural or LGBTQI diversity within schools that need to be taken into account when designing the curriculum." 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
Perth Now
24-06-2025
- Perth Now
Consent education crucial to sexual violence prevention
Consent education in schools must continue to adapt to stay relevant to young people to help reduce gender-based violence in Australia, experts say. School curriculums were changed in 2023 following a mandate to provide consent education after youth advocate Chanel Contos pushed for the change. Ms Contos, 26, founded Teach Us Consent four years ago after an Instagram post went viral and alerted her to the dire need for consent education in Australian schools. While the mandate was a huge milestone, Consent Labs co-founder Angelique Wan said much of the burden had landed on teachers to roll out the new curriculum when they may not have received training to deliver it in line with best practice. "Just because (consent education) is in the curriculum does not mean the work is done," she told AAP. "We need to ensure it is delivered in a way that is relevant to young people and in order to do that you need to lean on experts and upskill teachers and parents to have those conversations." Education on consent and respectful relationships has been widely linked to preventing sexual violence. It also helps to build empathy in young people, improve sexual health outcomes and result in people being more likely to use condoms and less likely to have unwanted pregnancies or contract a sexually transmitted disease. But a growing trend among young people to return to gender norms with many turning to the "manosphere" and following "tradwives" on social media demonstrates an ongoing need for consent education to stay relevant. Specifically, young boys needed to have a safe space to explore masculinity, Ms Wan said. "There is a lot of confusion among young boys about what it means to be a man, away from the traditional stereotypes," she said. "We want to use education to counter deeply ingrained beliefs and attitudes and we also know that rigid gender stereotyping can lead to violence." As for whether consent education was different for male and female students, Ms Wan said the message was that all genders needed access and understanding of consent and respect. "We need to role model that everyone, regardless of their gender, needs to be having these conversations," she said. "It's also not a one-size-fits-all because there are nuances like cultural or LGBTQI diversity within schools that need to be taken into account when designing the curriculum." 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
The Advertiser
22-06-2025
- The Advertiser
Coming out an 'indelible memory' with lasting impacts
Coming out as LGBTQI to friends and family can be one of the most vulnerable times in a person's life. Despite growing acceptance culturally, research shows almost half - 49 per cent - of young people who come out experience heartbreaking parental rejection. James Wright was 19 years old when he decided to tell his mum and dad he was gay. Now 46, the memory of that experience remains clear. "I would say for all gay people, coming out becomes an indelible memory, whether it's a good or bad experience," he told AAP. "I came out to mum and dad separately, within a few weeks of each other, and it really shocked me the difference in their response." Mr Wright's father, a devout Catholic with Italian heritage, was completely accepting. "He said loving his son was the priority over adhering to what the Catholic Church told him," Mr Wright said. "It brought us so much closer together ... I felt relieved and that he made it so easy was so beautiful." His mother, who Mr Wright had expected to be more accepting, did not respond the same way. "She was horrified," he said. "We've not had a great relationship since then." Almost 45 per cent of LGBTQI youth experience high or very high levels of psychological distress and almost half (48 per cent) have seriously considered suicide - more than three times the rate of their heterosexual peers. The impact of rejection could be particularly devastating for young people beginning to understand and explore their identities, Online Psychologists Australia clinical psychologist Michelle Olaithe said. "We are seeing increasing numbers of youth questioning their sexuality or gender, reaching out to us out of fear of a lack of acceptance from the adults in their life, or are already facing discrimination and prejudice," she said. "The impacts of this experience can continue to be damaging for the rest of their lives if they do not get support." Three in four LGBTQI people have experienced a mental disorder at some point in their lives. This is not due to a predisposition to poor mental health within the community but rather stigma, discrimination and a lack of acceptance, particularly from those closest to them. Many people did not realise just how much their first reaction impacted someone who has come out to them, Online Psychologists Australia chief executive Sarah Richardson said. "The truth is, when someone comes out to you, they're opening up in an incredibly vulnerable way - they're not just telling you something personal, they're asking for acceptance and for safety," she said. "The best response is to lead with love: say 'thank you for trusting me', tell them you support them. "You don't need to have all the answers. Just being warm, open and non-judgmental can mean everything in that moment." The psychologists' platform has released a free guide for parents, teachers, carers and friends as part of Pride Month, celebrated each June. The guide includes tips on what to say and what not to say, how to be a "safe person" and how to support someone after they come out. "This guide is for people who care but maybe aren't sure how to respond when someone comes out," Ms Richardson said. "It's here to take the fear and awkwardness out of that moment and replace it with empathy and confidence." Mr Wright said he had one piece of advice for the parents of LGBTQI children. "My advice to parents would be to be brave," he said. "If you have your suspicions, choose a safe time to raise it, because the child or young adult is probably aching for you to give them permission to talk about it. "It's your responsibility as a parent to have these conversations and gently give them that opportunity." Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 Coming out as LGBTQI to friends and family can be one of the most vulnerable times in a person's life. Despite growing acceptance culturally, research shows almost half - 49 per cent - of young people who come out experience heartbreaking parental rejection. James Wright was 19 years old when he decided to tell his mum and dad he was gay. Now 46, the memory of that experience remains clear. "I would say for all gay people, coming out becomes an indelible memory, whether it's a good or bad experience," he told AAP. "I came out to mum and dad separately, within a few weeks of each other, and it really shocked me the difference in their response." Mr Wright's father, a devout Catholic with Italian heritage, was completely accepting. "He said loving his son was the priority over adhering to what the Catholic Church told him," Mr Wright said. "It brought us so much closer together ... I felt relieved and that he made it so easy was so beautiful." His mother, who Mr Wright had expected to be more accepting, did not respond the same way. "She was horrified," he said. "We've not had a great relationship since then." Almost 45 per cent of LGBTQI youth experience high or very high levels of psychological distress and almost half (48 per cent) have seriously considered suicide - more than three times the rate of their heterosexual peers. The impact of rejection could be particularly devastating for young people beginning to understand and explore their identities, Online Psychologists Australia clinical psychologist Michelle Olaithe said. "We are seeing increasing numbers of youth questioning their sexuality or gender, reaching out to us out of fear of a lack of acceptance from the adults in their life, or are already facing discrimination and prejudice," she said. "The impacts of this experience can continue to be damaging for the rest of their lives if they do not get support." Three in four LGBTQI people have experienced a mental disorder at some point in their lives. This is not due to a predisposition to poor mental health within the community but rather stigma, discrimination and a lack of acceptance, particularly from those closest to them. Many people did not realise just how much their first reaction impacted someone who has come out to them, Online Psychologists Australia chief executive Sarah Richardson said. "The truth is, when someone comes out to you, they're opening up in an incredibly vulnerable way - they're not just telling you something personal, they're asking for acceptance and for safety," she said. "The best response is to lead with love: say 'thank you for trusting me', tell them you support them. "You don't need to have all the answers. Just being warm, open and non-judgmental can mean everything in that moment." The psychologists' platform has released a free guide for parents, teachers, carers and friends as part of Pride Month, celebrated each June. The guide includes tips on what to say and what not to say, how to be a "safe person" and how to support someone after they come out. "This guide is for people who care but maybe aren't sure how to respond when someone comes out," Ms Richardson said. "It's here to take the fear and awkwardness out of that moment and replace it with empathy and confidence." Mr Wright said he had one piece of advice for the parents of LGBTQI children. "My advice to parents would be to be brave," he said. "If you have your suspicions, choose a safe time to raise it, because the child or young adult is probably aching for you to give them permission to talk about it. "It's your responsibility as a parent to have these conversations and gently give them that opportunity." Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 Coming out as LGBTQI to friends and family can be one of the most vulnerable times in a person's life. Despite growing acceptance culturally, research shows almost half - 49 per cent - of young people who come out experience heartbreaking parental rejection. James Wright was 19 years old when he decided to tell his mum and dad he was gay. Now 46, the memory of that experience remains clear. "I would say for all gay people, coming out becomes an indelible memory, whether it's a good or bad experience," he told AAP. "I came out to mum and dad separately, within a few weeks of each other, and it really shocked me the difference in their response." Mr Wright's father, a devout Catholic with Italian heritage, was completely accepting. "He said loving his son was the priority over adhering to what the Catholic Church told him," Mr Wright said. "It brought us so much closer together ... I felt relieved and that he made it so easy was so beautiful." His mother, who Mr Wright had expected to be more accepting, did not respond the same way. "She was horrified," he said. "We've not had a great relationship since then." Almost 45 per cent of LGBTQI youth experience high or very high levels of psychological distress and almost half (48 per cent) have seriously considered suicide - more than three times the rate of their heterosexual peers. The impact of rejection could be particularly devastating for young people beginning to understand and explore their identities, Online Psychologists Australia clinical psychologist Michelle Olaithe said. "We are seeing increasing numbers of youth questioning their sexuality or gender, reaching out to us out of fear of a lack of acceptance from the adults in their life, or are already facing discrimination and prejudice," she said. "The impacts of this experience can continue to be damaging for the rest of their lives if they do not get support." Three in four LGBTQI people have experienced a mental disorder at some point in their lives. This is not due to a predisposition to poor mental health within the community but rather stigma, discrimination and a lack of acceptance, particularly from those closest to them. Many people did not realise just how much their first reaction impacted someone who has come out to them, Online Psychologists Australia chief executive Sarah Richardson said. "The truth is, when someone comes out to you, they're opening up in an incredibly vulnerable way - they're not just telling you something personal, they're asking for acceptance and for safety," she said. "The best response is to lead with love: say 'thank you for trusting me', tell them you support them. "You don't need to have all the answers. Just being warm, open and non-judgmental can mean everything in that moment." The psychologists' platform has released a free guide for parents, teachers, carers and friends as part of Pride Month, celebrated each June. The guide includes tips on what to say and what not to say, how to be a "safe person" and how to support someone after they come out. "This guide is for people who care but maybe aren't sure how to respond when someone comes out," Ms Richardson said. "It's here to take the fear and awkwardness out of that moment and replace it with empathy and confidence." Mr Wright said he had one piece of advice for the parents of LGBTQI children. "My advice to parents would be to be brave," he said. "If you have your suspicions, choose a safe time to raise it, because the child or young adult is probably aching for you to give them permission to talk about it. "It's your responsibility as a parent to have these conversations and gently give them that opportunity." Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 Coming out as LGBTQI to friends and family can be one of the most vulnerable times in a person's life. Despite growing acceptance culturally, research shows almost half - 49 per cent - of young people who come out experience heartbreaking parental rejection. James Wright was 19 years old when he decided to tell his mum and dad he was gay. Now 46, the memory of that experience remains clear. "I would say for all gay people, coming out becomes an indelible memory, whether it's a good or bad experience," he told AAP. "I came out to mum and dad separately, within a few weeks of each other, and it really shocked me the difference in their response." Mr Wright's father, a devout Catholic with Italian heritage, was completely accepting. "He said loving his son was the priority over adhering to what the Catholic Church told him," Mr Wright said. "It brought us so much closer together ... I felt relieved and that he made it so easy was so beautiful." His mother, who Mr Wright had expected to be more accepting, did not respond the same way. "She was horrified," he said. "We've not had a great relationship since then." Almost 45 per cent of LGBTQI youth experience high or very high levels of psychological distress and almost half (48 per cent) have seriously considered suicide - more than three times the rate of their heterosexual peers. The impact of rejection could be particularly devastating for young people beginning to understand and explore their identities, Online Psychologists Australia clinical psychologist Michelle Olaithe said. "We are seeing increasing numbers of youth questioning their sexuality or gender, reaching out to us out of fear of a lack of acceptance from the adults in their life, or are already facing discrimination and prejudice," she said. "The impacts of this experience can continue to be damaging for the rest of their lives if they do not get support." Three in four LGBTQI people have experienced a mental disorder at some point in their lives. This is not due to a predisposition to poor mental health within the community but rather stigma, discrimination and a lack of acceptance, particularly from those closest to them. Many people did not realise just how much their first reaction impacted someone who has come out to them, Online Psychologists Australia chief executive Sarah Richardson said. "The truth is, when someone comes out to you, they're opening up in an incredibly vulnerable way - they're not just telling you something personal, they're asking for acceptance and for safety," she said. "The best response is to lead with love: say 'thank you for trusting me', tell them you support them. "You don't need to have all the answers. Just being warm, open and non-judgmental can mean everything in that moment." The psychologists' platform has released a free guide for parents, teachers, carers and friends as part of Pride Month, celebrated each June. The guide includes tips on what to say and what not to say, how to be a "safe person" and how to support someone after they come out. "This guide is for people who care but maybe aren't sure how to respond when someone comes out," Ms Richardson said. "It's here to take the fear and awkwardness out of that moment and replace it with empathy and confidence." Mr Wright said he had one piece of advice for the parents of LGBTQI children. "My advice to parents would be to be brave," he said. "If you have your suspicions, choose a safe time to raise it, because the child or young adult is probably aching for you to give them permission to talk about it. "It's your responsibility as a parent to have these conversations and gently give them that opportunity." Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636
