The principal of Brisbane's Citipointe Christian College that has been embroiled in a student enrolment row has announced he will stand aside to take extended leave.
Citipointe Christian College came under fire this week over its controversial sexuality and gender identity clauses in its contract with families.
The contract — which described homosexuality as a sin and compared it to bestiality and paedophilia — was revoked on Thursday after a public backlash.
In an email to parents, Pastor Brian Mulheran said he had decided to step away to reflect on the events and give the school "time to heal".
The principal's move comes after the school asked families to sign an enrolment contract demanding the denouncement of homosexuality and that students subscribe to traditional gender roles.
The contract sparked public outcry and prompted a group of 23 parents to write a letter to the school, calling on Mr Mulheran to "do the honourable thing", and step down from his position.
In his letter to parents, Mr Mulheran apologised for students being discriminated.
"Our intention was only to offer families a choice about how their children are educated, and to be open and transparent about our religious ethos that guides the way we teach and care for students," the statement read.
"I am heartbroken that, by doing so, our college, and our community have suffered so much.
"I have been devastated talking to our students who have suffered hurtful and hate-filled verbal assaults simply because of their beliefs or for attending the college.
Parents at Citipointe had taken their complaints to the Queensland Human Rights Commission, and both Education Minister Grace Grace and Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman had expressed concern about the contract.
The controversy caused crowds to gather in Brisbane's King George Square on Friday in a pride march that called for Mr Mulheran to resign.
'Healing is going to take time'
Former student Felicity Myers said she was relieved to hear of Mr Mulheran's decision to stand aside.
"Never again will Citipointe have a principal who is so outrightly set on discriminating [against] students in the LGBTQIA+ community," she said.
"This isn't over yet. There are further changes within how the school is governed that need to change.
"The process of healing and restoring is one that is going to take time.
"I believe, under the right leadership, this will happen, and the school can move into a place of harmony, love and acceptance for everybody."
Mr Mulheran announced the school's head of primary, Ruth Gravestein, would step into the role of acting principal.
Editor's note: The headline on this story was updated on 08/02/22 to state that the Principal had stood aside, not stepped down.
