GAY, lesbian and trans-gender (rainbow) students at Colo High School have formed their own support group, Standout.
‘‘We’ve established our acceptance in the school and a safe place for people to come and not be afraid,’’ Year 12 student Zoe-Rose Werle said.
Year 11 student Thomas Mizzi said Standout made him and other rainbow students feel accepted.
‘‘At my old school, people would come up to me and say, we know you’re gay,’’ Thomas said.
He said such comments were not always hostile, but it made him uncomfortable, people knowing, but him not owning, who he was.
‘‘When I did [come out] I still didn’t feel good; people would still come up to me saying, you’re gay,’’ Thomas said.
His step-sister, Year 12 student Jordan Wickham, said she noticed Thomas was happier after transferring to Colo High and more so since Standout was formed.
‘‘It’s so rewarding to be doing this,’’ Jordan said.
‘‘I never thought I would be part of something like it.’’
Year 11 student Isla Sammut said Standout had opened a new world for many others at Colo High.
‘‘It’s not a bad thing to be who you are and it’s not a huge thing for people to care about,’’ Isla said.
‘‘Younger students can come to us; it makes us feel we’re supporting them.’’
Kyra Brokenbrow, also in Year 11, said one of Standout’s achievements was to show differences can be a good thing.
‘‘I feel young people are becoming more accepting, so hopefully we won’t need a group like this in the future,’’ Kyra said. All students in Standout, some tearfully, praised and thanked the school’s personal development, health and physical education teacher, Alex Stefan.
They said her support strengthened them and helped make the group possible.
Ms Stefan said it was a proud moment for Colo High when its rainbow students could openly declare themselves.
‘‘I am a gay teacher and I was aware we had a lot of gay students who had no-one they could go to,’’ she said.
‘‘I thought it would be a good idea if we had a group they could be part of.’’ She said Standout not only helped rainbow students, it broadened other students’ awareness and acceptance of those different to them.
‘‘It’s very humbling to hear what these young people say about me,’’ Ms Stefan said.
‘‘I feel blessed to know them.’’