School District 28’s recent policy to implement anti-homophobia education is a huge step forward – now if only the course was mandatory for guardians.
The policy works to provide a safe environment, free from harassment and discrimination and pro-active strategies and guidelines to ensure that lesbian, gay, transgender, transsexual, twospirit, bisexual and questioning (LGBTQ) students, employees and families are welcomed, included, and affirmed in all aspects of education and school life and treated with respect and dignity.
The QDTA Social Justice Committee along with administration, students, parents, support staff and community members developed the policy that the board ultimately passed without revision.
Anyone having gone through any education system knows kids can be plain mean. From not wearing the “right clothes” to voicing an unpopular opinion, growing up and finding oneself is tough.
Throw in questioning ones sexual orientation and you have the possibility of depression, alienation, social-anxiety – the list is endless.
This policy works to not only remove the possibility of bullying, but the social stigma that sometimes comes with same sex orientation.
Developing anti-homophobia education practices proves society is moving forward and at least attempting to banish the bullying associated with the close-minded mentality.
Unfortunately, most ingrained ideas about what’s right and what’s not come from home. Most children arrive to school with a preset notion already ingrained in their impressionable minds.
In most instances if dad thinks it’s morally reprehensible to “dig dudes”
or mom thinks same sex marriage is “against God’s will” then Junior will, too.
Hopefully the new education practices being developed will work to not only eradicate the fossilized philosophy of homophobia in schools, but at home as well.
–Autumn MacDonald, Observer