Dear Editor,
A Richmond News story about the school district’s new SOGI policy reads: “the policy not only has a zero-tolerance attitude against discrimination and bullying, but also seeks to help schools be more accepting of students’ sexual orientation and gender identity.”
This seems a waste of public resources since the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom has the same function.
Canada is a very inclusive, civilized society. Rights and Freedom of every resident are protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom. According to the Charter, discrimination or bullying to any person is unacceptable. The fact SOGI is introduced implies the Charter has failed. If the Charter is not able to protect Canadian LGBTQ people from being bullied or discriminated against, then the Charter fails in protecting all Canadians. Will the school board also have a policy for non-LGBTQ?
Obviously, there is no such policy, which proves the Charter is working. Therefore, why should we introduce SOGI?
If we initiate a policy for LGBTQ’s special needs, should we also have similar policies for other minority groups such as Canadian Chinese, Canadian Filipino, Canadian Indian…?
We are living in a world full of difference. Canada is famous for inclusion because each minority is accepted and different people live equally and harmoniously. If we have such policy for a specific group, aren’t we putting other people in a disadvantaged position? The common sense is every person’s legal right is protected on the condition of not offending other people’s legal right or the interest of the public. I am surprised Trustee Sandra Nixon, as an elected public servant, lacks that common sense.
When I learned that there are more than 10 choices of gender in some parts of Canada, I was pretty sad. This is not equality or inclusiveness. This is messing up our beloved country with political correctness. Also, please do not mess up our innocent children before they are grown up and can make their own decision.
Victor Yu
RICHMOND
