Hobart College chaplain apologises for homophobic Facebook post (ABC)

A homophobic comment posted on social media by a Tasmanian school chaplain has drawn widespread condemnation.

Hobart College chaplain and Kingborough youth outreach officer Troy Williams re-posted a comment on Facebook that said "homosexuality is not normal" and "no-one is born gay".

The post has since been removed and Mr Williams has issued an apology.

He told the ABC: "I've made a mistake and learnt from it. I'm deeply sorry for any offence I've caused. I was very careless in posting that image for discussion. I will work with my employers to ensure there is no repeat."

Gay rights activist and academic Rodney Croome said he was shocked by the post.

"I was quite horrified because what this post says to young gay people is that someone they should be able to trust and who should support them thinks that their sexuality is abnormal, unnatural and a choice," he said.

"Those myths aren't just wrong, I think they're very dangerous to the wellbeing of young same-sex attracted young people.

"That not only means young gay people won't be able to seek support from him, but he's actually making their life worse, he's perpetuating stigma against them."

Calls for chaplain to get counselling

The Education Department released as statement to say Mr Williams had breached its code of conduct.

The department has referred the matter to Mr Williams's employer, the Scripture Union, which has described the post as "inappropriate".

"Chaplaincy is about supporting people whatever their issues are, and it's just unfortunate that someone's acted outside of that," said Peter Swift, the Scripture Union's chaplaincy development manager.

Mr Swift said Mr Williams's actions called for education and counselling.

"We want our employees to always act responsibly and carefully and thoughtfully, and in this instance someone has stepped outside that so we want to work with him," he said.

Gay rights activists are calling for such education be compulsory for adults in all youth supervisory roles.

Education Minister seeks urgent explanation

Kingborough Council, which employs Mr Williams as a youth outreach worker, condemned the post and said the council was committed to combating prejudice and discrimination, including homophobia.

"We expect employees to demonstrate the highest standards of behaviour and sensitivity - including on social media," Acting Mayor Steve Wass said.

"The council will remind Mr Williams of his responsibilities and provide both counselling and education in response to this incident."

Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff said he was seeking an urgent explanation from the Scripture Union.

"Bigotry, in all its forms, is unacceptable in our community, and it certainly has no place in our school environment," he said.

"That extends to the social media accounts of those who work in our schools, who are all role models for our students.

"We expect much better. My department is seeking an urgent explanation from the Scripture Union about what it is doing to ensure this does not happen again."

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