This essay focuses on tensions within Canada and Australia between religious freedoms and sexual freedoms. Both countries have sought to develop religious accommodations for publicly funded religious schools. The essay is also informed by contemporary research related to the experiences of LGBT identified teachers and students. I briefly consider how their experiences of education are shaped by religious exemptions which operate to accommodate claims related to religious freedom. I also consider how advocates on both sides deploy particular understandings of secularism in order to distinguish between public and private spheres.
Curwood J and Ullman J (2014) Australian schools must promote LGBT-inclusive education. The Conversation, 17 February.
4.
Ferfolja T and Hopkins L (2013) The complexities of workplace experience for lesbian and gay teachers. Critical Studies in Education 54(3): 311–324.
5.
EvansCMGazeB (2010) Discrimination by religious schools: Views from the coal face. Melbourne University Law Review34(2): 392–424.
6.
Gahan L, Jones T and Hillier L (2014) An unresolved journey: Religious discourse and same-sex attracted and gender questioning young people. In: Luke G, Tiffany J and Lynne H (eds) Research in the social scientific study of religion. Brill: Leiden, The Netherlands, pp.202–229.
7.
HillierLJonesTMonagleM (2010) Writing Themselves In 3: The Third National Study on the Sexual Health and Wellbeing of Same Sex Attracted and Gender Questioning Young People, Victoria, Australia: La Trobe University.
8.
HillierLTurnerAMitchellA (2005) Writing Themselves In Again: Six Years On. The 2nd National Paper on the Sexuality, Health and Wellbeing of Same Sex Attracted Young People in Australia, Melbourne, Australia: La Trobe University.
9.
JonesTGrayEHarrisA (2014) GLBTIQ teachers in Australian education policy: protections, suspicions, and restrictions. Sex Education: Sexuality, Society and Learning14(3): 338–353.
10.
MaddoxM (2014) Taking God to School: The End of Australia’s Egalitarian Education, Sydney, Australia: Allen and Unwin.
11.
Maddox M, Piggin S, Mutch S, et al. (2011) What’s the future of religion in Australian politics? Australian Humanist 102: 10–13.
RasmussenM (2016) Progressive Sexuality Education: The Conceits of Secularism, New York, USA: Routledge.
15.
Rasmussen M and Leahy D (forthcoming) Young people, publics, and counterpublics in school-based education on gender and sexuality: An australian story. In: Talburt S (ed.) Youth Sexualities: Public Feelings and Contemporary Cultural Politics (Praeger).
16.
Rasmussen ML, Sanjakdar F, Allen L, et al. (2017) Homophobia, transphobia, young people and the question of responsibility. Discourse: Studies in the Cultural Politics of Education 38(1): 30–42.
17.
RobinsonKHBanselPDensonN (2013) Growing Up Queer: Issues Facing Young Australians Who Are Gender Variant and Sexuality Diverse, Melbourne: Young and Well Cooperative Research Centre.
18.
ShipleyH (2014) Religious and sexual orientation intersections in education and media: A Canadian perspective. Sexualities17, 5/6: 512–528.
19.
Stokes P (2013) Love thy neighbour: Religious groups should not be exempt from discrimination laws. The Conversation, 17 January.
