School support guide launched for rainbow families in Australia
A school support guide has been launched to help rainbow聽families and same-sex parents support their children throughout their聽early childhood and school life.
The guide, which was created by聽,聽provides information for parents and children about how to deal with questions around聽their family structure, dealing with bullying, and events like Mother鈥檚 or Father鈥檚 Day.
Rainbow families have to deal with the same changes and challenges as any other. However there are also some things that are unique to rainbow families, from small day to-day challenges to bigger questions and concerns.
The guide was created by Melbourne writer and academic Jacqui Tomlins after interviewing many children and parents. The ideas and advice in the guide represent the collective wisdom of dozens of parents who have grappled with these challenges and come up with positive solutions.
鈥淭his is a much-needed resource for parents and kids who can often face daily questions about their families,鈥� said Scott Brunelle, education officer of Rainbow Families.
鈥淲e know that schools are at the heart of our community, but LGBTIQ-parented families can often feel isolated and excluded. Many choose to hide their family structure to avoid stigma.
鈥淭his guide seeks to give LGBTI parents and their kids basic tools to fully engage in their school communities, without having to sacrifice their identity or the truth about their family.鈥�
The guide is being released as the Safe Schools program continues to be debated and the NSW government is the teaching of gender theory in schools. The School Support Guide is not designed as a resource for schools, but will support parents and families as they adjust to the new school year.
