Dear Editor,
Re: “LGBTQ policy could create cultural shift,” News, Feb. 24.
As a Richmond parent, I am disappointed by the attitudes expressed towards those who oppose the LGBTQ policy.
I firmly believe that parents are the first educators and have the right to be actively involved in their children’s education. The voices of parents are being ignored and disregarded by most school trustees in this policy development. It is shocking to see the response of a trustee mentioning the various key players in making this policy, and putting parents last in the list of priorities. Parents know what is best for their children and their views should be better acknowledged.
On the school board’s end, communication and partnering with parents in making decisions about this policy has been broken and ineffective. There is a lot of misunderstanding in the perspective parents bring to the discussion.
The LGBTQ policy stems from the issues of bullying and discrimination found in this minority group. Parents want to respond and call for a policy that protects all students, including the LGBTQ students. It is concerning that the rights of a specific minority group are being elevated.
There is more exclusion of students in this policy than one might think. Questions arise on addressing anti-bullying to other vulnerable minority groups, who experience struggles in the same light. Isn’t the school board choosing to neglect other students who deserve the same attention in these issues?
Making this policy is just the beginning of a large movement to move from tolerance and acceptance to understanding and embracing. Rather than encouraging to understand and embrace the rich diversity of all students in Richmond, only the LGBTQ students will be taking the spotlight. Promoting a specific group is not the same as bringing unity by valuing every student in our community.
I commend trustees Jonathan Ho and Alice Wong in choosing to support parents and they, along with the parents disagreeing with this policy, should not be targeted as barriers. Why are parents being criticized for voicing their concerns? Parents want to closely work together with the school board on these issues, and not be shut out of the conversation.
Vivian Wang
Richmond
