School trustee Sandra Nixon said she was pleased to hear changes to the B.C. Human Rights Code will now recognize gender identity and expression as a protected right, however, the Richmond School District is still in need of a related policy to “create a culture of affirmation and support” among students, teachers and parents.
“Many students are still voicing that they feel marginalized in many ways,” including sexual orientation and gender identity, said Nixon.
“I still want the district and the board to take further actions and adopt a policy,” she said.
To date, the district has maintained it depends on the code to prevent bullying and discrimination. However, the code hadn’t included protection of gender expression and identity.
On Wednesday, B.C.’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton announced amendments to that code.
“With these amendments, B.C.’s Human Rights Code will reflect the current state of law in our province and will align with human rights legislation across the country, including Canada’s proposed Bill to add ‘gender identity or expression’ to the Canadian Human Rights Act.
“I know this addition means a great deal to those who have advocated for its inclusion,” stated Anton, via a news release.
Nixon has been the only trustee openly advocating for changes to the district’s policies. She said changes are long overdue, and she’s been disappointed with delays in addressing the matter, however she has also been waiting on a report of a student-led “belonging project,” that she believes will reaffirm that students also want change.
Nixon said the changes to the code ensure no legal discrimination takes place against students, but a district policy would create “an overall ethos of acceptance.”
B.C. Teachers’ Federation President Glen Hansman stated on Twitter that even in light of the changes to the code, “All school districts should still develop policies — particularly to articulate what they’re going to pro-actively do.”
The new code was advocated for by Vancouver-West End NDP MLA Spencer Chandra Herbert, who stood side-by-side with BC Liberal Anton at a news conference Wednesday in a rare show of cooperation between the two parties.
