In response to the upcoming protest against Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity (SOGI) education BԪַ planned for Monday at the B.C. legislature BԪַ the Greater Victoria TeachersBԪַ Association (GVTA) released a statement of support for SOGI and to affirm public policy of inclusion and safety for LGBTQ students.
BԪַOur intent is to go down to show our support to parents and students in our community that are affected by this kind of hateful statement,BԪַ said Carolyn Howe, second vice-president for GVTA. BԪַAs a union we not only have an obligation to support our own LGBTQ teachers and staff but we are also proud to support them and proud to contribute to a culture of safe and inclusive schools for all students and families.BԪַ
The subject of controversy, , is a set of resources to support the B.C. and Alberta curriculum in teaching students about diversity in age-appropriate ways. It aims to help educators make schools inclusive and safe for students of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
The Sex Ed Sit Out protest against the teaching of sexuality and sexual orientation in schools, spearheaded by BԪַa few moms on social mediaBԪַ according to the eventBԪַs website, is planned for April 23 at the legislature in Victoria. The organizerBԪַs website says parents will pull their children out of school for the day BԪַto say no to graphic, immoral sex educationBԪַ.
They arenBԪַt the only ones leaving school that day, as a large contingent of students from local high schools are also planning to walk out in counter-protest to show their support for LGBTQ students. As students may be subjected to hateful or upsetting speech at the protest, GVTA plans to release some teachers to go down as support.
BԪַWe are a social justice union so we consider social justice work the work of the union. Our reps in schools that are specifically assigned to do this sort of social justice work will be released from the classroom for the day, and GVTA will pay for their Teacher On Call in order for them to participate,BԪַ said Howe. BԪַWe want to make sure there are some teachers there that can help support those students if they need it.BԪַ
The protest is expected to begin at 11 a.m. on April 23 on the lawn of the B.C. legislature.
Oak Bay BԪַ reached out to Sex Ed Sit Out for comment, however at the time of publishing no reply had been received.
keri.coles@oakbaynews.com
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