Citipointe Christian College Is Being Investigated For Its Anti-LGBT Student Contract

Brisbane’s Citipointe Christian College is now being investigated by a Queensland education body after its anti-LGBTIQ enrolment contract went viral.

The private school — which charges up to $12,180 per child per year — faced backlash earlier this week after its controversial contract asserted that homosexuality and bisexuality are “destructive to relationships and society.”

Under the enrolment contract, the school reserved the right to terminate a child’s enrolment based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or sexual activity.

“The Parents acknowledge and accept that, should I/we not share the college’s commitment to fostering these fundamental doctrinal precepts, this will constitute a serious departure from the religious precepts upon which Citipointe Christian College is based and will afford Citipointe Christian College the right to exclude a student from the College who no longer adheres to the College’s doctrinal precepts including those as to biological sex,” the contract read.

After immense backlash from the school community and countless people online, Queensland Education Minister Grace Grace confirmed on Tuesday that the matter has been referred to the Non-State Schools Accreditation Board for further investigation.

“It’s unacceptable for myself as a parent of a non-binary child, and it’s very distressing,” said Grace. “In this day and age, to see this happening is actually quite unbelievable.

“We strive for an inclusive and supportive school environment — that is what we should be doing — and no student should be denied a world-class education because they are a member of the LGBTIQ+ community.”

Queensland Human Rights Commission Investigating

While Principal Pastor Brian Mulheran asserted the new contract was developed after seeking legal advice on the matter, the Queensland Human Rights Commission has questioned if it adheres to the state’s anti-discrimination laws.

“The Queensland Anti-Discrimination Act has not permitted religious schools to discriminate against currently enrolled students because of their sexuality or gender identity for 20 years,” a statement from the Queensland Human Rights Commission read. “A school policy that requires a trans or gender-diverse young person to be treated as their sex assigned at birth, or that requires a young person to hide or deny their sexuality, is likely to amount to unlawful discrimination.”

According to the ABC, Independent Education Union Queensland branch secretary Terry Burke has condemned the idea of getting parents to sign contracts as a loophole to anti-discrimination law.

“Trying to avoid anti-discrimination laws by asking parents and/or students to agree to discriminatory terms in a ‘contract’ is beyond shameful and rejected by our union,” said Burke. “Our union believes practises in faith-based schools, and indeed in any endeavour by faith-based organisations which is conducted for and funded by the public, should reflect community standards and expectations.”

Grace says the board will look at the issue and confirm whether it adheres to the legislation.