In a significant turn of events, St Ursula’s College in Sydney’s Kingsgrove has decided to permit same-sex couples to attend their end-of-year formal after facing substantial backlash for their previous ban. The decision comes following a petition initiated by Abbie Frankland, a final year student at the school, who was initially informed that she couldn’t bring her girlfriend to the event.
The petition, which garnered over 4,900 signatures, condemned the school’s “discriminatory” policy and called on it to align itself with the “widespread support for LGBTQ+ rights” observed across Australia. In a heartening update on November 3, Frankland announced on change.org that the school had overturned the same-sex ban, granting her permission to attend the prom with her girlfriend.
“To everyone who signed our petition, shared our story, and stood with us in solidarity: a heartfelt thank you. Your support has made a difference,” expressed Frankland. “We hope that our story can inspire others to challenge discriminatory policies and practices wherever they exist.”
This reversal received support from key figures in Australian politics. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns voiced his backing for LGBTQ+ students, asserting that in this day and age, teenagers should be free to choose their prom dates. Federal Education Minister Jason Clare echoed the sentiment, urging the Catholic school to exhibit “a little bit of common sense” and abandon the same-sex prom ban. Clare emphasized that it’s high time to acknowledge that love knows no bounds in 2023.
A spokesperson for Sydney Catholic Schools, which oversees 147 schools, refrained from commenting on the specifics of this case, highlighting the importance of not allowing broader societal debates to disrupt students’ Higher School Certificate exams.
This change represents a notable step forward in ensuring inclusivity and equality within educational institutions and the broader society, aligning with the growing recognition of LGBTQ+ rights in Australia and worldwide.