Scots College opposes student homophobic content

By RNZ’s Harry Lock

A Wellington school has criticized the actions of students who used homophobic language and images in videos posted on social media.

The posts were uploaded by a student and shared on Instagram over the weekend.

Scots College’s inaugural Pride Week followed, hosted by the school’s Queer-Straight Alliance (QSA), which included events such as a mufti day and group activities.

On Friday, several images and videos from a student’s Snapchat account began circulating on other social media.

The videos and posts showed some students using homophobic slurs and using rainbow flag stickers in an inappropriate way.

In one post, there was the caption “Boycotting Gay Pride Week 2020”, written in rainbow colored letters.

“In general, I have been very disappointed that this could happen in my school, and these people are my peers, who have these views,” said Eleanor, a Year 12 member of QSA, who helped organize Pride Week.

“It’s hard for me to think how these people can disrespect a community.”

She said it overshadowed what was otherwise a positive and successful week.

“It was really cool to see how the school really engaged with [it]. Everyone who used color did so in a meaningful way.

“In general, we have received a great deal of support during the week, through the staff and also from most of the students.”

In a statement, Wellington-based private school principal Graeme Yule said they took immediate action, contacted the students involved and their families, and raised the issue during an assembly.

“If students think it is okay to behave in a way that demeans, mocks, or makes fellow students feel bad for being themselves, then they must learn that these are not Scots College students and that we will not. as a university. accept it, “he said.

“It is not okay to tolerate attitudes of exclusion.”

Another student who is part of the Queer-Straight Alliance, who wanted to be known as “R”, said that he had highlighted the issue of homophobia.

“It has put it much more in evidence. Although this event happened, it has sped up the process of helping to get everyone’s full support.

“This is a problem that occurs in many, many schools. It just came up during our Pride Week.”

Yule said the university was discussing with students and the QSA group the best way to publicize their work.

For the students in question, the school is exploring a combination of restorative, educational, and other possible actions to make sure they understand the consequences.

“What needs to go on is a lot of small steps, I think. I feel like if someone says something, if someone says something, it’s a great app, hold them accountable for it.

“It also makes sure the information is available to people who use terms but don’t know the meaning behind them.”

The student who uploaded the offending material posted an apology on social media, in which he said he did not intend to use the words in a discriminatory manner.

Wellington College Queer-Straight Alliance founding member Joel Tebbs said he expected something positive from the event.

“We have had similar situations like this at Col ‘in the past, and our school has really progressed to do better actions. Without a doubt, our culture has really changed.

“These kinds of situations are never unique to one school, they are shared across the country. So it really shows that the culture in all schools in the country has to advance.”

Eleanor said she had not deterred them and that they would continue to advocate for and enact change.

In an Instagram post, the school’s head prefect said the incident had left the community shocked and hurt, but that it shouldn’t overshadow QSA’s work.

– RNZ