Students at a school in Victoria, Australia are fighting back after the school banned wearing cross necklaces for being “offensive.” Methodist Ladies’ College (MLC), a prestigious girls’ school in Melbourne informed students that they would no longer be permitted to wear cross necklaces as they might be offensive to other students. One anonymous student reported how a friend of hers was asked to remove a cross necklace after another student found it offensive. “My friend was wearing a cross, and there was another girl in our class who said she found the cross really offensive, and so the teacher told her to take it off. My friend’s parents, who are very religious, tried to get answers from the school and were told, ‘It’s not a good look for the school.’” According to the student, the school is giving into a “minority” of students. “This is supposed to be a religious school, but they are listening to minority opinion rather than mainstream religious students.”

A school spokesperson pushed back on the claims, while stating diversity is an important value of the school. “We are deeply committed to fostering a culture of inclusion, respect, and diversity. Our Christian heritage serves as a foundation for welcoming individuals of all faiths, cultures, and backgrounds, fostering an environment where every student is supported in expressing their identity and beliefs.” The school has denied claims that students have been allowed to wear “furry” tails and rainbow symbols. “Recent media reports included claims that Methodist Ladies’ College (MLC) students were told to remove Christian jewellery because it was offensive, while others were attending school wearing furry ears and tails. These statements are false and irresponsible,” said the school. “MLC is a proudly Christian girls’ school. We do not find Christian symbols offensive. We aim to apply a consistent uniform policy that prohibits visible jewelry. We do not have any students attending school wearing furry tails and ears.” The school stated the current policy “ensures that every student adheres to the same standard of presentation, fostering unity within our diverse community.”

Stephen Chavura, a history lecturer and author, scoffed at the school’s use of “inclusive.”  “We know now that the word inclusivity means exclusivity, and the word diversity means uniformity, but I want to praise these girls for standing up to woke bullying,” he said. He encouraged students to continue wearing their crosses. “Wear your crosses, if you have a cross turn up to school and wear it, send a message to other students and teachers and to the school in general, that this is a Christian school, it is not a Marxist woke school.” Melbourne Baptist pastor, Murray Campbell, praised the girls for pushing back against the ban. “Well done to the girls who are standing up to the bullish behavior of the school. Well done to the students who are defending their fellow students, whether they are of Christian faith or not.”