A Christian school attempted to celebrate Pride. Its students unleashed a torrent of homophobia and racism
A private school in New Zealand has condemned students who posted anti-gay messages in response to a Pride Month celebration
A private school in New Zealand has said that students who posted anti-gay messages in response to a Pride Month celebration will be made to “understand the consequences of their actions”.
Newshub reports that the elite Presbyterian boarding school Scots College had attempted to celebrate an LGBT+ Pride Week – but faced a flood of homophobic and racist messages from its students on Snapchat and Instagram.
One message featured a photo of a boy whose back had unwittingly been covered in Pride stickers, with the caption “smh you gay n***a”.
Another wrote “boycotting gay pride week 2020”, while a third featured a rainbow flag with a cross through it.
The posts were flagged to Newshub by a former student at the school, who told the outlet: “Casual use of words like ‘faggot’ and ‘gay’ in inappropriate contexts is very common at Scots.
“Whilst the school attempts to put on a progressive front, the reality for LGBT pupils is far from this.”
A private school in New Zealand has condemned students who posted anti-gay messages in response to a Pride Month celebration
Homophobic comments ‘in no way reflective of who we are’, school says.
Scots College headmaster Graeme Yule told the outlet the incidents had tarnished a “very successful week” celebrating Pride, making clear the messages are “in no way reflective of who we are as a college and the values we stand for”.
He said: “The action of the student making the post was extremely disappointing and in no way reflects the values of the college. Our community is deeply upset and has been hurt by this.
“Upon being made aware of the post we were able to identify the students involved and immediately contacted them and their families.”
Yule added the students would “understand the consequences of their actions,” and confirmed that the issue has be a meeting was held with the entire year group after the posts were flagged.
He said: “Our key messages are that such actions are totally inappropriate, that these actions in no way reflect the values of our college and its student body, that we are inclusive of students of all race, gender and ethnicity.
“I also pointed out the hurt that such actions have on others, and students had the opportunity to convey this in our meeting as well.”
