Teachers have been encouraged to show LGBT movies to students as a measure to increase diversity in the classroom.
The New South Wales Teachers Federation released a list of approved films which feature lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) themes deemed ‘appropriate to study in class’.
Films include Love, Simon, Gayby Baby, Pride, The Perks of Being a Wallflower and Battle of the Sexes, according to the NSW Teachers Federation.
Teachers have been encouraged to show LGBTIQ movies (pictured scene from Love, Simon) to students as a measure to increase diversity in the classroom
Films include Love, Simon, Gayby Baby, The Perks of Being a Wallflower and Battle of the Sexes (scene pictured), according to the NSW Teachers Federation which are ‘appropriate’ to show
Some of the selected movies, including The Danish Girl and Perks of Being a Wallflower, are classified mature (M) and are advised for audiences older than 15-years.
However, Gayby Baby, Pride and Battle of the Sexes are classified under Parental Guidance (PG).
‘There is now an array of films available with LGBTIQ characters and research indicates that when students see themselves in the content studied in class, they are more likely to be engaged and feel part of the school community and culture,’ the organisation wrote online.
‘This has positive implications for LGBTIQ students’ wellbeing and educational outcomes. It also provides non LGBTIQ students with a broader range of experience and can assist with empathy and understanding of others.’
None of the films are prescribed under the NSW curriculum, but the federation said teachers are encouraged to use the movies so students can learn to ‘connect and collaborate with a diverse group of people’.
Love, Simon, which was released earlier this year, focuses on issues of identity, consent, respectful relationships and cyber-bullying.
It features a gay male lead character.
The ‘bold’ film has been described as a ‘poignant, coming of age teenage movie with a difference’, however, ‘not suitable for younger viewers’, according to the Australian Council on Children and the Media.
The council president Elizabeth Handsley said while it was possible to show adult themed movies in classrooms, it is a ‘concern’.
None of the films (The Danish Girl, left, and Battle of the Sexes, right) are prescribed under the NSW curriculum but the federation said teachers are encouraged to use the movies so students can learn to ‘connect and collaborate with a diverse group of people’
‘It is an interesting proposition to be showing M films in schools: that would concern me as it has the tendency of undermining the classification message,’ Professor Handsley told The Australian.
‘You need to be very careful doing so in a school setting … where there’s a whole range of students with a range of maturity levels and background experiences.’
The NSW Education Department spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia schools were required to acknowledge the diverse views held by parents and the community about what was suitable for students to study.
‘Parents have the right to remove their children from any school activity or NSW curriculum learning that they are concerned about,’ the spokesperson said.
‘Films or TV programs rated M or M15+ may be shown to some students in circumstances where the material is determined by the principal to be age-appropriate and contributing materially to learning under the NSW curriculum.’
The department said principals had to inform parents about the content of an activity beforehand.
The Australian Council on Children and the Media president Elizabeth Handsley said while it was possible to show adult themed movies in classrooms, it was a ‘concern’ (stock image)