Chair of the Halton Catholic District School Board, Alice Ann LeMay, is against gay-straight alliance groups in our schools and compared them to Nazi-support groups.
She apologized for her comments and- of course- "how they were interpreted", pleading that we all say things we don't mean and/or wish we could take back after-the-fact.
Ms. LeMay, I wholeheartedly agree; we all make mistakes. The problem is that your apology is fake. Don't take something back, with the mask of an apology, that is really a ploy to protect your position as chair as you face backlash from people who believe in human rights, unlike yourself.
Perhaps you now see that the reference to Nazi groups was extreme, Ms. LeMay, however, you still went on to compare the existence of a gay-straight alliance to a pro-abortion group and stated that you would like to review last year's changes to the "equity of inclusion policy". Lovely.
Here's the problem with that, Ms. LeMay. You don't get to decide whether or not the Halton Catholic District School Board wants to acknowledge the equality of the gay community. WE LIVE IN CANADA! Gay marriage is legal here. Gay adoption is legal here. Discriminating against a person based on their sexual orientation is illegal here. Your equation of gay-straight alliance groups to groups that take a stance on abortion is not valid because in Canada there is no law concerning abortion. It is neither legal, nor illegal; it is a choice. Abortion is up for debate and while I'm all for healthy debate and broadening our horizons of thought, I can see that in a high school setting, perhaps allowing a controversial issue such as that to be represented by a sector of the student body could be ixnayed, especially considering the Catholic Church's stance on the subject. The education system is a branch of the government, however, and our government has settled the issue of LGBT rights.
In addition, while I hold a pro-choice stance, abortion does involve "harm" to a life, depending on one's opinion. Having an attraction to someone of the same sex isn't hurting anyone. Having sex with someone with the same parts isn't hurting anyone as long as there is consent and safety- the same as between members of different sexes. And, hey, bonus! No teen pregnancy!
So no, a gay-straight alliance is not in the league of "groups in favour of abortion or hate groups of any nature". Would you allow an Association for Black Students? Or Aboriginal groups? A Student Disability Advocacy Group? How about women? Are we allowed to congregate and discuss women's issues and feminism or have a campaign to raise awareness about violence? Or non-Catholic religious groups? Would you be tolerant of students of different faith backgrounds having organized gatherings? Because based on your comments, you would deny marginalized groups a safe student community and hinder the promotion of equity, fairness and respect for all people.
Beyond that, your little speech about equality and protection of the students reeks of hypocrisy. It can be argued that one's opinions about sexual orientation are personal and just because the public sector has moved forward in the direction of human rights and freedoms, one is still allowed their personal beliefs. This is true as long as those personal beliefs do not harm others. Given your authority, I would say that allowing your personal beliefs to guide you in this particular matter most certainly harm the student body whom you are supposedly representing and protecting. Is that a stretch?
Perhaps we could say that you are simply not aiding the student body, rather than explicitly harming. Except that by banning GSA's, not only are visibility and an implied tolerance being removed, but a vital resource and community is also being taken away from LGBT youth- an already more highly at-risk group. In addition, now that you've made public comments and caused such an uproar, it is quite clear what your stance is. Your lack of support and words are an act of hate in themselves. You have probably made a good number of young people struggling with their sexuality feel ashamed. You've just given impressionable youth reason to believe that hetero-deviant behaviour and orientation IS something to be ashamed about, leading to potential harm for LGBT and questioning youth, making it more difficult for their peers to step up as allies, and further solidifying a homophobic frame of thought for those students who already hold it.
But perhaps, they, like I, will be shocked and appalled that something like this could happen so close to home. I love my generation and more recent youth generations! We show so much hope and potential for progress and respect for diversity- more so than ever before. Perhaps your comments will ignite in them a similar fire as they have done to me and perhaps it will give them a voice for something positive; a passion for something; a clear distinction between what is right and wrong? Yet, somehow, I don't think that will be the case for all.
Young people are vulnerable. They are sensitive and confused and face a whole new world of experiences and influences. It is SO important that we love and respect one another. There will always be disagreements and people who don't mesh but a base of acceptance and tolerance should exist. Lead by example. Communicate that no one is lesser than another person based on sex, gender identity, ability, age, class, education, religion, race, ethnicity, AND, YES, sexual orientation. High school, middle school- heck, even elementary school!- can be a rough go. The people who are supposed to be making it a positive experience shouldn't be contributing to or adding to that difficulty. School should be a safe space.
Like it or not, this is a changing world when it comes to rights and acceptance for the LGBT community and we live in a country that has been a leader in that change. Get on board (no pun intended) or keep your mouth shut and do your job occupying ONE spot on a board that acts to advocate and protect ALL students.
Source:
www.insidehalton.com/news/article/927771--nazi-remark-sparks-outrage