Nelson College has created what is believed to be a first of its kind - a gay-straight alliance at a New Zealand all-boys school. The report from GAYNZ makes clear the school's headmaster is emphasising it's not a political move nor any kind of endorsement, simply something the school is culturally ready for.
The report from New Zealand’s premier gay news site continues, The student-led initiative was announced by senior students at an assembly this week, where out Olympic speed skater Blake Skjellerup shared his anti-bullying message as part of Pink Shirt Day promotion and the Nelson Pride Week.
Headmaster Gary O'Shea says the support group was worked through by counsellors and administration, at the request of a group of senior boys. He says it's not about promoting anything, rather "a low key acknowledgment of the diversity within our society. And our desire to encourage tolerance and respect within the school for our boys," he says.
"We do not see this as a vehicle to promote a sexuality message, nor to be seen to endorse or condemn any other actions by other schools."
Mr O' Shea says the group will function independently of any outside agency and will be run by counsellors and students. He does not want it to become any kind of political football.
"The boys believe that culturally the school is ready. They all know who these boys are. And you know, we've got 1,200 boys here and there will be significant concern about, I would imagine, from certain sectors of my own community, in promoting a message. And that's not what it's for. It is something we were doing anyway, which was very low-key with counsellors in a very discreet way. We were supporting these boys anyway as they reached the senior school. But there are a number of our senior boys who have friends who are gay and we also wanted to support that, so it has straight boys' senior support. And without that it wouldn't have happened."
Full report GayNZ.com Students drive gay alliance at boys' school
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