BRISBANE: Some teachers are contributing to homophobic bullying in Queensland schools, says advocacy group PFLAG.

With a simple message reminding rainbow youth “you have the right to be proud of who you are”, organisers of this year’s Wear it Purple Day expect schools, universities and workplaces in NSW and around Australia to be transformed into shades of purple this Friday.

In what may be a sign of the times, a short film looking at the experiences of gay teenagers will be screened again today to school groups at the Opera House as part a major international children’s film festival.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will soon ban the entry of “gay and tomboy students” from its government schools and universities, according to local media reports, in an apparent response to websites that promote gay rights and homosexuality.

Dharun Ravi was found guilty late last week of all 15 charges related to bullying and spying on his former gay Rutgers University roommate Tyler Clementi in the days leading up to his decision to commit suicide by jumping off the George Washington Bridge.

Homophobic bullying in schools and the risk of HIV cases in miners has been pushed into the spotlight in Western Australia this week.