In 2017, King David School alum, Nevo Zisin, inscribed a message in a copy of their powerful autobiography “Finding Nevo” for the students of King David. Nevo is a fierce advocate and activist for the rights of LGBTIQA+ people and wrote: “To the person at King David that reads this, you are not alone, you are loved, everyone is weird, everyone is different. There is a whole world out there.” 

This week there has been debate surrounding the proposed federal legislation to amend the capacity of religious schools to discriminate against students on the basis of their gender identity or sexuality. The legislation was passed by the lower house with amendments proposed by Labor and some Liberal MPs, but has now been put on hold by the Government until after a proposed inquiry.

The idea of excluding a child from school on the basis of sexuality, gender or any other protected attribute is antithetical to our core identity as a school as passionately explained by one of our students in Thursday’s edition of The Age. Any legislation that continues to provide for legal exemptions to fundamental rights is something that runs contrary to our values of inclusivity, egalitarianism and social justice. 

When we were looking for a tagline that characterised how our community members felt about our precious school, “It’s Where I Belong” was chosen. Embedded in this phrase is the deep sense of community, prioritisation of relationships and sense of connectedness that we are known for, and also the deep commitment to respect each student for who they are as individuals.  

Our School Mission statement reminds us “to resolutely and consistently focus on the responsibility to nurture, develop and indeed cherish each unique and exceptional child which the School has been created to serve and which it has the privilege to serve.” We appreciate that each of our students is unique and exceptional. We view the diversity of our student body and staff as an asset, not a problem. It is something that enriches our interactions, experiences and our community’s vibrancy. 

In 2018, when the Government announced a review into provisions which allowed faith-based educational institutions to discriminate against particular categories of students, I was proud to write a submission on behalf of our school community. In it, I stated that “our school rejects the notion of discriminating against staff, parents or students on the basis of their gender identity, sexual orientation or other protected attributes.” I added that “We proudly support our students to embrace their Jewish identity and we believe that this is best done in a warm, open-minded and diverse setting that avoids discrimination wherever possible.”

The proposed legislation provides a vital change to existing provisions in its prohibition of the expulsion of students on the basis of their sexual orientation. However, this goes nowhere near far enough. It fails to protect the rights of students and staff members who are excluded on the basis of their gender identity, marital or relationship status, or pregnancy. It still allows institutions to make students or staff feel of lesser value than others. It also fails to provide adequate protection to ensure that egalitarianism and inclusion are afforded to all school students and staff.

It feels extraordinary that in 2022 the rights of individuals would still be up for debate in this manner. The very existence of this debate is dangerous and hurtful. It sends a terrible message to individuals that their existence, fundamental rights and value are something to be decided upon by others. 

It is unacceptable and intolerable that those who identify as LGBTIQA+ are subjected to community messaging that can make them feel alienated, excluded and rejected. 

So to all our students, staff members and community members at King David: regardless of your gender, identity, sexual orientation or anything else that makes you unique and exceptional, I extend on Nevo’s words – You are not alone. You are loved. You belong. 

Shabbat Shalom,

Marc