Nine-year-old Stevie Browne says he’s never worried about being himself in school until now.
Key points:
- Protesters gathered outside Warren Entsch’s office after he failed to oppose controversial legislation
- Members of the Anglican Church have questioned the need for a Religious Discrimination Bill
- Parents of transgender children say it’s a step backwards for equality
The Cairns resident identifies as transgender and worries about what the future of his religious school might look like.
Stevie’s mother, Katie Williamson, said she tried to shield him from media coverage of the controversial religious discrimination bill.
Dr Williamson said when Stevie heard about the legislation he asked her if he should quit her school – but she said it has supported him so far.
“I think Stevie just wants to be like all the other boys,” Dr. Williamson said.
“It really does feel like a step backwards – it’s the modern world, isn’t it?”
Stevie said he felt like a normal kid in a normal school and didn’t know how to deal with the possible changes.
“I’m angry that they’re doing this,” he said.
‘Full Shemozzle’
Stevie and her mother’s concerns were echoed by protesters who gathered outside Warren Entsch’s office in Cairns on Friday morning.
After his strong plea in favor of same-sex marriage, the voters of the deputy for Leichhardt ask him not to turn his back on the LGBTQI community.
Earlier this week, Mr Entsch told the ABC he saw no need for the legislation, although he chose not to oppose it.
“But I have serious concerns, particularly in relation to what happened at Centrepoint [Christian College] the other day regarding discrimination against gay children.”
Priest for the Anglican Diocese of North Queensland, Neil Forgie, who attended the protest, said he was disappointed Mr Entsch’s support had been insufficient.
He said he was also not entirely sure the bill was necessary.
“It’s a… complete shemozzle,” Father Forgie said.
“They’ve had three years to work on it and at the last minute it comes to parliament.
