The Peel District School Board (PDSB) said with Pride Month approaching, it will continue its commitment to sexual minority identities and celebrate and affirm them. .“Memo sent to all @PeelSchools staff in preparation for Pride Month backlash from parents,” said former Ontario high school teacher Chanel Pfahl in a Thursday tweet. .PDSB Superintendent of Equity, Indigenous Education, School Engagement, and Community Relations Lisa Hart and Executive Lead — Human Rights Jasmine Dunn said in a letter when addressing sexual minority identities and issues, staff need to apply an intersectional lens. .“To fully understand an individual’s experience based on their identities, we need to acknowledge the impacts of intersecting systems of oppression and privilege given our social context,” said Hart and Dunn. .“Racialized and marginalized 2SLGBTQIA+ folx experience compounded discrimination and marginalization (eg. healthcare, workplace).” .With the recent targeted discrimination of sexual minorities in the media, the letter said it is important for staff to address homophobia, transphobia, and biphobia when it occurs. The PDSB’s Equity and Accountability Report Card reported sexual minority students are suspended at higher rates and are upwards of four times more likely to feel they do not belong and are sad at school. .Hart and Dunn said everyone's entitled to their own views, expressions, and religious and cultural beliefs. However, they said these beliefs and rights “never allow one to express or act in a way that is discriminatory towards others.” .With that being said, the letter called on staff to talk about sexual minorities throughout the year. This learning is necessary to ensure all identities are affirmed, honoured, respected, and seen and that schools are recognized as places for tolerance and anti-discrimination. .The letter said staff might encounter parents refuting and raising concerns with the PDSB’s work to be more inclusive towards sexual minorities throughout the year and during Pride Month. These concerns might be connected to religion or creed-based beliefs protected under the Ontario Human Rights Code. .The Ontario Human Rights Commission has created a policy on competing rights which provides guidance when they encounter these remarks. When encountering an issue involving competing rights, they should seek to get an understanding of the nature of the concerns. .Hart and Dunn went on to say sexual minority identities need to be affirmed and acknowledged throughout the year. When infusing prepared learning materials into practice, they said teachers should use their professional judgment “to ensure it is applied using an anti-racist, anti-oppressive, and anti-colonial framework.” .While parents have the option to opt out of particular content in health, the letter said learning about sexual minorities should be embedded in all other curriculum areas throughout the year. .“Learning about inclusion, marginalized identities and communities — including 2SLGBTQIA+ identities and content — should not be considered for exemption,” said Hart and Dunn. .St. Albert Public Schools — located northwest of Edmonton — approved a new, optional junior high course Wednesday on sexual minorities’ perspectives. .READ MORE: St. Albert school board to offer sexual minorities course.“This may well be the very first 2SLGBTQIA+ course developed and offered in Alberta's history,” said MacEwan University child and youth care professor Kristopher Wells. .“A truly ground-breaking moment!”
