Dear Editor,
I attended the Board of Education meeting on Feb. 20, I’ve read the articles in your paper and the parent letters around the LGBTQ policy that will be created by Richmond — like most other school boards in this province and country. I’ve also read the petition put forward by the parent group opposed to the policy. And, quite frankly, the response by these parents highlight exactly why such a policy is needed. If it were not, there would be little to no response — proven by the fact that there are already existing policies for children with extra needs and First Nations students that have been created with nary a ripple from the public.
If the LGBTQ community were truly accepted and supported, as this parent group claims they would be under the general code of conduct policy, there might be a few questions around the creation of a separate policy. But, on the whole, no one would mind nor care. However, with the false statements of “lifestyle choice” and “turning children homosexual” and the continuing of myths and untruths around bathroom safety, these parents are showing empirical evidence that statistics and factual studies state: the LGBTQ community continues to be targeted far more than other communities.
Trustees Ho and Wong, and many of these parents, have also continually stated that parents get to make choices for their children’s education. And that parents get to make the decisions in their home. While true, what they are failing to understand, or choosing to ignore, is that what that actually means is they get to choose schooling and situations for their children that align with their personal and religious values — NOT that those beliefs and values get to dictate public education policy, or indeed curriculum.
There is a reason why church and state are supposed to be separated, and one of those reasons is to facilitate growth and learning based on facts and realities. The arguments put forth for not creating this policy are based on neither, and, in fact, contain incorrect and utterly false information.
I do not share the beliefs of these parents. However, I do support their right to voice them — that is one of the basic rights and freedoms of this country. And one hopes that, by sharing opposing views, a dialogue can start about issues. However, I also absolutely support the freedom of equality granted to all in our country. Our LGBTQ community faces discrimination, physical, mental and emotional abuse, bullying and hateful actions on an unacceptable level; they are not equal. To deny a policy that protects the marginalized or targeted is unacceptable. And I am very glad to see we have a school board that is committed to working for equality for all. As a parent, but most importantly as a member of an inclusive society, I wholeheartedly support this policy.
Megan Riter
Richmond
