By Mikayla van Loon
A Mount Lilydale Mercy College student’s petition to screen her Year 12 film at the school’s end-of-year film festival has reached around the world, even attracting the support of a famous actor.
Tayler Allwood will be the only media studies student to not have her film showcased because the subject matter explores a same-sex relationship.
As a Catholic secondary school, Principal Phillip Morrison said, “the film depicts relationship scenes that are not aligned with our values as a Catholic school.”
The scene he is referring to is the final scene where the main character shares a kiss with her female love interest.
Tayler said the film was a coming of age story about a teenage girl trying to find out who she is and she “wanted to create something that shows a positive representation of queer media.”
The petition Tayler posted to Change.org two weeks ago has gone global with over 20,000 signatures, just 5000 away from her initial target.
While MLMC stands by its position, Tayler hopes when the 25,000 signature total is reached the petition can “be delivered to senior-level staff members and hopefully, the school will revoke its current decision and will screen my film that I have worked incredibly hard on for the past 8-10 months.”
Mr Morrison said the decision was made not to screen the film at the end of year showcase because it may have been “inappropriate to certain members of the audience.”
“While the guidelines for the media studies film in question were made clear, it was permitted to proceed by the teacher due to the particular passion of the student for the project,” he said.
“The teacher was clear that the film may not be promoted publicly by the school. However, the film will be submitted for VCE assessment purposes, top screens and the College awards.”
The issue of Tayler’s film not being shown was raised in the Victorian Parliament by Animal Justice Party Western Victoria MP Andy Meddick on Tuesday 16 August.
“We live in an inclusive society, one where the majority of people live in harmony with the LGBTIQA+ community. They are just purely and simply us—part of us all,” he said.
“As such, the majority of taxpayers feel that when their taxes go to education that education should include all students and not be discriminatory.”
Tayler said all she wanted was to be included and have the same right as her fellow classmates.
“All I want out of this is for my film to be shown alongside the work of my classmates,” she said.
Many signers of the petition who gave reasons for their signature expressed that in 2022 conversations of this kind should be eradicated, as well as past students and people from the LGBTQIA+ community throwing their support behind Tayler.
“Freedom of expression for all members of our community, especially minorities like the LGBTQIA+ community, should be encouraged & supported,” one petition signer said.
“Sexuality is a spectrum that must be acknowledged and celebrated, especially in school settings where young people are coming to know their identities,” another person wrote.
Mr Morrison said MLMC aims to ensure all students, no matter their sexuality or identity are included, safe and welcomed at the school.
“Mount Lilydale Mercy College strives to be a community where the dignity and uniqueness of every student is respected and nurtured with sensitivity and compassion, including in relation to sexual orientation.
“In all our College programs that deal with relationships, we provide a judgment-free safe environment where opinions are valued and the dignity of the individual is maintained at all times.”
Mr Morrison also said the Catholic teachings are not so black and white as to discriminate against someone because of their sexual identity.
“Catholic Church teaching emphasises this dignity of the individual as paramount regardless of one’s sexual orientation and it is these values that MLMC strives to model in its care for all students,” he said.
Choosing not to screen Tayler’s film, Mr Morrison said it was to be “faithful to these values” even though “some will passionately agree with the decision and others equally will be in discord.”
