“Win For Parents” As School Pride Program Dropped

A Sunshine Coast school mum is claiming victory in her fight against LGBTQ+ support programs in Queensland.

Nerissa Pace launched a petition calling on the state government to “do all in its power” to ensure the Department of Education “relinquishes its membership of ACON (Aids Council of NSW) and any Pride in Diversity program”.

The petition which already has over 1,000 signatures remains open for Queensland residents to sign until November 10.

Despite the relatively early signature count, the department has announced it would end its membership in ACON’s Pride in Diversity workplace inclusion program, following a broader review of its external commitments. 

“A Win For Parents”

Ms. Pace told the Sunshine Coast Daily (SCD) the department’s decision was a “win for parents” across Queensland.

“This is exactly what parents like me want to see happening for our children, because we never had a say in decisions like this,” she said.

“We need evidence-based practices in our schools; not unscientific ideology being forced on our impressionable young children.”

Ms. Pace said “transgender ideology is contentious and not settled”, and claimed 95% of parents agreed that “gender and LGBTQ+ education did not belong in schools”.

“Parents are angry over harmful ideology”

Petition supporter Michelle Rider said she believed schools should focus on educating children, not spreading “harmful ideology” during a child’s formulative years.

“Parents are angry,” she said.

“We are watching our children being sexualised through school and arts programs that expose them to adult sexual and gender themes.”

“Many parents see this pattern as grooming: the gradual normalisation of adult sexual content and contested ideologies to children who are not developmentally ready.”

Qld Education Department Ends Membership

An Education Department spokeswoman confirmed it had been a member of Pride in Diversity since 2018, but it was a staff-based, not student-based program.

She also confirmed to the SCD the department would end its membership following a “recent review of external memberships”.

“The department [has] determined that continued participation does not align with its current requirements and has commenced the process to end its membership,” she said.

Survey Shows Majority Of Parents Opposed The Program

“A 2026 National Survey of 1072 Australian parents, including a cohort of 190 Queensland parents, found that 74.2% did not know of the alliance, but would feel uncomfortable if one existed,” Nerissa Pace claimed in her petition.

“A further eight (4.2%) knew about the alliance and were unhappy.”

“This means 78.4 % of Queensland parents are uncomfortable with the Education Queensland/ACON relationship.”

“Parents have received no formal notice of the alliance and want transparency.”

Department Gained Platinum Status This Year

An ACON spokesman said the Pride in Diversity program supported employers to “create inclusive, safe and respectful workplaces for all Australians”.

“Australian workplaces thrive when everyone feels welcome, valued and able to contribute fully.”

He  did not respond to questions about the Queensland Department of Education’s decision.

The Department won platinum status this year in Pride in Diversity’s Australian Workplace Equality Index.