Mum Sues Government Over Bestiality, Incest Content in Diversity Class

A South Australian mother is taking the state government to court more than a year after her teenage daughter says she endured a diversity class that allegedly included references to bestiality and incest.

Nicki Gaylard is suing the South Australian government with the help of advocacy group Alliance Defending Freedom International, claiming her daughter was left deeply distressed.

Gaylard says her 14-year-old daughter was present during a session that was supposed to be focused on respectful relationships at Renmark High School in 2024, which was facilitated by the Berri branch of youth mental health foundation Headspace.

But the woman’s young daughter claimed the presentation, which was taught as part of an LGBT awareness session, included concepts like bestiality, “brother love,” “sister love,” and “sibling sex.”

The South Australian Department for Education said the event had been a single case that would not be repeated.

“What happened at Renmark High School was not acceptable. It was an isolated incident and steps have been taken to ensure it doesn’t happen again,” a spokesperson told The Epoch Times.

“Current providers have gone through a rigorous process to be approved, to give parents and students the confidence that the sexual health education in public schools is quality, based on evidence, and the nationally consistent Australian Curriculum is delivered.”

The Epoch Times contacted Renmark High School and Headspace Berri for comment.

After news broke of the initial claims in August 2024, it attracted attention from Canadian anti-puberty blocker campaigner Chris Elson, who is known online as Billboard Chris.

The claims prompted Elson to ask what was going on in Australian schools.

South Australia’s shadow spokesman for government accountability, Ben Hood, said the incident should cause all parents to be deeply concerned about what was being taught in schools.

“We need to make sure that our children are protected and that mistakes like what has occurred at Renmark High School does not happen again,” he said.

Hood said the session also included explicit language and graphic images of transgender surgery.

The matter currently remains before the courts.

ACL Lobbying for Change

The Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) has recently been critical of the South Australian government in what it sees as signs of overreach when it comes to gender ideology in the state’s schools.

The ACL criticised the South Australian Education Department’s “Gender Diverse and Intersex Children and Young People Support Procedure,” saying it undermines the role of families (pdf).

Part of the policy includes an order that a child can choose their own pronouns and name, and that information must be used by all staff and students, regardless of whether one or both parents object.

School staff must also prepare “gender affirmation plans,” including appointment of staff to work on them, plus hold regular meetings and monitoring to ensure plans are adhered to.

A directive is also given that children with gender dysphoria be allowed to use their chosen bathroom, and be included in overnight camps and trips, plus play sports with the gender they choose to identify with.

“Our girls deserve safety, dignity, and respect—and parents’ role as the primary decision makers on matters related to identity and values must be protected,” an ACL statement said.

The ACL says it is pushing for reform that would restore rights to parents, ensure girls’ safety in school and mandate curriculum transparency while removing gender ideology teachings.