Dear Editor,
Re: “Policies on sponsorship, LGBTQ reviewed,” News, Feb. 26.
Some interesting comments from school trustee Dr. Eric Yung, chair of the board of education’s policy committee.
With emphasis on the diverse “cultural, linguistic and ethnic nature of the Richmond community,” noted in the school district philosophy, Yung adds recognizing this demographic diversity is important.
When Dr. Yung discusses the lack of gays/straight alliance clubs in the district he has these comments, “I don’t want to teach target identification.”
Doesn’t Dr.Yung understand that LGBTQ students have already been targeted and are suffering bullying and, in some cases, violence?
This is the reason all of the Lower Mainland Schools except two, Richmond being one of them, have these gay/straight alliance clubs, to make their schools safe, comfortable places for all students.
Does Dr. Yung not understand that Canadian culture and secularism is much more important and valuable than any of the myriad cultural and religious practices that immigrants bring to this country?
Unfortunately, while the progressive Lower Mainland districts keep improving their schools for all students, Richmond, in Dr. Yung’s words, have to “fulfill the requirements of the BC Human Rights Code.”
Alan Halliday
Richmond
