Vote Compass: Australians divided on transgender awareness education in primary schools

Updated

Australians are divided on whether children should learn about transgender awareness in primary school, Vote Compass data suggests.

The Coalition Government ordered changes to the Safe Schools program earlier this year, after a review prompted by a revolt among backbench MPs.

The Safe Schools program was founded to support staff and students that are same-sex attracted, intersex and gender diverse, and to reduce homophobic and transphobic behaviour in schools.

When asked specifically about whether transgender awareness should be taught in primary schools, more Australians said they were opposed to it than supported it.

The Safe Schools programs were not ever part of the curricula of primary or secondary schools but the materials were made available to use by schools if they wished.

The data shows a clear generational divide on the question, with support for learning about transgender issues highest among young people.

Women are also significantly more likely to support transgender awareness education.

When viewed in terms of how people plan to vote on July 2, Coalition supporters are strongly opposed while Labor voters are more mixed on the issue.



These findings are based on 242,404 respondents who participated in Vote Compass from May 8 to May 28, 2016. The data has been weighted to ensure the sample reflects the Australian population. [ Read the Vote Compass data FAQ ]

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Topics: discrimination, bullying, federal-elections, australia

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