An Australian principal was effectively pushed out of her job for refusing to participate in an event forcing teachers to explain transgenderism and gay relationships to students between the ages of 4-12.
Janelle Rowe, who worked in education for 34 years, was asked to host a “Wear It Purple Day.” The website states that the yearly event, which is often hosted by schools across the country, centers on developing a “safer, more supportive and more inclusive world for LGBTQIA+SB young people.” Students and staff are urged to wear purple outfits to show visual support to LGBTQ people, and schools are encouraged to host a bake sale or fundraiser for LGBTQ groups.
But Rowe had a conscientious objection to exposing children to such content without parental direction and oversight and objected to forcing teachers to promote such content. She instead pitched hosting an anti-bullying event, “No Way Week,” an alternative she described as a way to include everyone.
“[Wear It Purple Day] requires teachers to explain what these lifestyles are about to children and I don’t feel it’s the place of schools to be talking about sexualized issues with infants and primary students,” she said. “At age four through to 12, these are still issues for parents and for families. How it’s dealt with and at what age, that’s not for the school or teachers, that’s for home.”
Rowe was summoned to the head office and placed under supervision. Officials from the Australian Capital Territory Education Directorate, which manages the school she was employed at, demanded that she dress up for the event and support it.
In the midst of a disciplinary dispute, Rowe resigned. But she says she doesn’t regret taking a stand.
Colleen Harkin, education spokesperson for One Nation, an Australian political party, told News24.com.au that “Teachers are stuck between a rock and a hard place,” which is essentially, “Teach the activist agenda or lose your job.”
“Teaching kindness and respect does not require exposing children to radical, contested adult debates about sexuality and gender,” she said.
Harkin said the school day needs to stop turning “into a vehicle for activist agendas.”
“Parents would be shocked to see the constant stream of activist content children are exposed to in the classroom,” Harkin said. “School children should not be subjected to inappropriate discussions about sexuality and gender and should never be exposed to any of it without their parents’ knowledge and prior consent.”
Decision Magazine, founded by Billy Graham in 1960, works through its website and monthly magazine to communicate the Gospel, as well as inform and challenge readers about key cultural and Biblical issues. Decision is also a Contributing Publisher to Harbinger’s Daily.
Editor’s Note: An Anti-God Worldview Permeating Schools
Ken Ham, Founder and CEO of Answers in Genesis, wrote:
The LGBTQ worldview is permeating our secular schools (and, sadly, even some ‘Christian’ schools). Secular schools (e.g., public schools) are not neutral. The Bible says you’re either for Christ or against. And when you build your thinking on man’s word instead of God’s Word, then ultimately anything goes. And we’re seeing that happen now throughout the secular anti-God education system.
Our ‘disagreement’ with the LGBTQ worldview and agenda is not about our own opinions. No, we don’t go along with them because God, the Creator, defines everything. In Genesis 1:27, God said that he made mankind male and female. That’s why we believe there are only two genders. And by the way, observational science shows that males have an X and a Y chromosome, and females have an X and an X. And you can’t change your genetics. So really, scientifically, you can’t change your gender.
David Fiorazo discussed the necessity of Bible-believing Christians not remaining silent on the issue of protecting children:
The godless are grinding down public morality and dragging children down with them.
Silence hasn’t worked. Ignoring evil in society has not caused it to go away. Assuming we truly love our neighbors and believe in protecting children from evil, we have work to do. They need us to take biblical stands and speak up as often as necessary.
The enemy is evangelizing children and working to gain converts. Look at how successful they are at making disciples who reject Jesus and the Christian worldview. Having the God of the universe and the truth on our side, why shouldn’t we be working even harder to proclaim the good news of eternal salvation?
