Independent candidate Sandra Nixon announced on Monday that she plans to introduce a policy to help protect students’ rights to sexual orientation and gender identity.
“Currently, nine school districts in the Lower Mainland have LGBTQ and/or anti-homophobia policies, with Richmond a notable exception,” said Nixon.
She said policies that specify LGBTQ rights for students have been supported by local health authorities.
This week several slates announced their school platforms.
No one other than Nixon is advocating specifically for a policy on eliminating homophobia in schools.
The Richmond Community Coalition has a four-point platform, which includes: embracing diversity, greater financial literacy in high schools, promoting technology such as e-books and greater stakeholder communication.
RITE Richmond released a similar platform, citing financial literacy and engagement, in addition to a seven-point proposed student charter.
RITE notes it wants to offer “differential instruction in the classroom” and advocate for “stable, adequate and predictable” funding.
RITE has two incumbent trustees running in Rod Belleza and Norm Goldstein. Michael Starchuk joins them as a candidate who has unsuccesfully run for trustee two times prior.
Jonathan Ho left R.I.T.E for RCC and has also run unsuccesfully for trustee before. Ho is joined by Matt Pitcairn and Moushtak Estepho, both of whom are new to municipal politics.
Renew Richmond also released some ideas from Alice S. Wong. She too wants to be an advocate for stable, “long term funding to support public education.”
Wong said she would advocate for more physical activity for students.
On Tuesday the RTA released its survey of candidates asking broad questions about their intentions and beliefs.
The survey and other election news can be viewed at Richmond-News.com under the Richmond Votes tab.
