Teacher who told Sydney Catholic Schools she was transitioning allegedly asked to move and not given shifts
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Zoe Conolan-Glen’s discrimination case has now been referred to the federal court. A music teacher who told the management of Sydney Catholic Schools she was transitioning was allegedly asked to move to a different school before being given no shifts for a year.
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Sydney woman Zoe Conolan-Glen lodged a discrimination complaint with the Australian Human Rights Commission in July 2024, which was referred to the federal court on 18 December, claiming the prospective school’s management also asked intrusive questions, including which staff bathroom she would use and how she would react if a parent complained about her identity.
Across New South Wales, Western Australia, Queensland and South Australia, LGBTQ+ teachers, especially those working at religious schools, can lose their jobs if they are open about their identities. Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email.
Federally, the religious discrimination debate is at an impasse. And while rights and protections for LGBTQ+ people in NSW were strengthened with the passing of the equality bill in October 2024, many advocates raised concerns that protections for teachers and students at private schools had been dumped.
Conolan-Glen, who is being represented by Redfern Legal Centre, had worked across three schools run by Sydney Catholic Schools as a part-time music teacher since 2021. In December 2023, she told the organisation she was a woman, and should be referred to with her correct name and pronouns.
