Fear that parental rights will erode

It’s a “think of the children” argument: Three mothers share their fears that schools will promote behavior that they disapprove of. A program they might have in mind is a government-financed initiative run by Safe Schools Coalition Australia. Mr. Shelton and some other opponents of same-sex marriage have called it a “radical L.G.B.T.I. sex education program.”

What does the program involve? According to the website, it aims to “help schools to be safe and more inclusive for same-sex attracted, intersex and gender diverse students, staff and families.” The website provides tools to guide teachers on topics like running school dances and affirming students who are transitioning from one gender identity to another. The initiative also includes a classroom unit called All of Us, which teaches seventh- and eighth-grade students to “build an understanding of diversity in the community.”

After the television ad was released, Safe Schools Coalition Australia issued a statement stressing that participation in these programs was voluntary. “No schools are forced to join Safe Schools or use any of the resources,” the coalition said. “And schools looking to become formal members need to have parental consent.”

On 3AW, Mr. Shelton said he believed that if same-sex marriage were legalized, such programs would be made compulsory. He said of the ad, “These are the views of three mothers who have had firsthand experience with so-called Safe Schools program in Australian schools.”

Other countries are warnings, not inspiration

While advocates of a “yes” vote point to the legalization of same-sex marriage in countries like Britain, Canada, Ireland and the United States as indicative of Australia’s lag, opponents hold those places up as warnings.