95bFM LGBTQIA+ advocates call out allegations of homophobic abuse at Tauranga School
15 June, 2022
Interview by Christina Huang, adpated by Jessica Hopkins
Shaneel Lal, Co-Founder of End Conversion Therapy in NZ, says students have spoken up about being put through conversion therapy, with queer students reportedly receiving death threats. Photo: Canva.
Bethlehem College, a Christian school in Tauranga, has recently come under fire for requiring parents to sign a statement of belief, saying marriage is between a man and a woman.
Bethlehem's Principal Larne Edmeades was previously the principal of ACG Parnell College in Auckland from 2005-2016.
LGBTQIA+ advocates have condemned this practice, calling it discriminatory and homophobic.
The Ministry of Education has told the College that they must remove the anti-same-sex statement in their Charter, or they would consider a formal intervention.
However, several ex-students of the college have since come forward with allegations of homophobia and discrimination at the school.
On 95bFM's The Wire, Shaneel Lal, Co-Founder of End Conversion Therapy in NZ, described several incidents of homophobic abuse they were told about by current and former students of the College after posting about the Charter.
"These incidents often perpetrated by teachers towards students included an assembly held to victim blame girls for rape or sexual assault. A student was also asked to leave the school, being told their mental health issues reflected poorly on the institution and were a result of their sin."
"At first, I thought this was a classic example of extremist Christians being extremist. I didn't want to post about it, but something in me said you have to call it out. I did not realise the gravity of the abuse that was going on in this school."
The college has defended its statement of belief, claiming it is a "well-recognised mainstream Christian understanding of marriage."
"Our Christian beliefs support and enhance the health and wellbeing of our students," stated Bethlehem College chair Paul Shakes.
Shaneel said students have spoken up about being put through conversion therapy, with queer students reportedly receiving death threats. Students told Lal they have also been subjected to blackface and the N-word at the school.
"Bethlehem College is implying that its Christian beliefs are synonymous with homophobia, transphobia, racism, and sexism when that doesn't have to be the reality."
Lal claimed the Ministry of Education and the Education Review Office have overlooked these problems in the past, which compelled them to call for an independent review against the school.
A petition launched by Lal calling for an investigation has received over 6000 signatures.
Public interest journalism funded through NZ On Air
