THE future of a ground-breaking program supporting gay and lesbian students in Victorian schools has been secured under a state government funding deal.

But the $100,000 in funding for the Safe Schools Coalition comes less than a week after laws allowing faith-based groups to reject workers on the basis of their sexuality passed their first parliamentary hurdle.

Education Minister Martin Dixon has announced $10,000 in funding for a program that supports gay students in schools. Credit:Ken Irwin

Less than a month before the funding allocated to the program by the former Brumby government was due to run out, Education Minister Martin Dixon announced the 12-month funding.

Mr Dixon said all students had the right to be educated in a safe school environment.