BC is behind both Manitoba and Alberta in requiring protection for all gender identities.
Manitoba has amended its Public School Act to require diversity policies to include gender diversity:
Student activities and organizations
41(1.8) A respect for human diversity policy must accommodate pupils who want to establish and lead activities and organizations that
(a) promote
(i) gender equity,
(ii) antiracism,
(iii) the awareness and understanding of, and respect for, people who are disabled by barriers, or
(iv) the awareness and understanding of, and respect for, people of all sexual orientations and gender identities; and
(b) use the name "gay-straight alliance" or any other name that is consistent with the promotion of a positive school environment that is inclusive and accepting of all pupils.
A similar change to Alberta's School Act provides:
Support for student organizations
16.1(1) If one or more students attending a school operated by a board request a staff member employed by the board for support to establish a voluntary student organization, or to lead an activity intended to promote a welcoming, caring, respectful and safe learning environment that respects diversity and fosters a sense of belonging, the principal of the school shall
(a) permit the establishment of the student organization or the holding of the activity at the school, and
(b) designate a staff member to serve as the staff liaison to facilitate the establishment, and the ongoing operation, of the student organization or to assist in organizing the activity.
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), an organization or activity includes an organization or activity that promotes equality and non‑discrimination with respect to, without limitation, race, religious belief, colour, gender, gender identity, gender expression, physical disability, mental disability, family status or sexual orientation, including but not limited to organizations such as gay‑straight alliances, diversity clubs, anti-racism clubs and anti‑bullying clubs.
(3) The students may select a respectful and inclusive name for the organization, including the name “gay-straight alliance” or “queer-straight alliance”, after consulting with the principal.
(4) The principal shall immediately inform the board and the Minister if no staff member is available to serve as a staff liaison referred to in subsection (1), and if so informed, the Minister shall appoint a responsible adult to work with the requesting students in organizing the activity or to facilitate the establishment, and the ongoing operation, of the student organization at the school.
(5) If a staff member indicates to a principal a willingness to act as a staff liaison under subsection (1),
(a) a principal shall not inform a board or the Minister under subsection (4) that no staff member is available to serve as a staff liaison, and
(b) that staff member shall be deemed to be available to serve as the staff liaison.
Manitoba has amended its Public School Act to require diversity policies to include gender diversity:
Student activities and organizations
41(1.8) A respect for human diversity policy must accommodate pupils who want to establish and lead activities and organizations that
(a) promote
(i) gender equity,
(ii) antiracism,
(iii) the awareness and understanding of, and respect for, people who are disabled by barriers, or
(iv) the awareness and understanding of, and respect for, people of all sexual orientations and gender identities; and
(b) use the name "gay-straight alliance" or any other name that is consistent with the promotion of a positive school environment that is inclusive and accepting of all pupils.
A similar change to Alberta's School Act provides:
Support for student organizations
16.1(1) If one or more students attending a school operated by a board request a staff member employed by the board for support to establish a voluntary student organization, or to lead an activity intended to promote a welcoming, caring, respectful and safe learning environment that respects diversity and fosters a sense of belonging, the principal of the school shall
(a) permit the establishment of the student organization or the holding of the activity at the school, and
(b) designate a staff member to serve as the staff liaison to facilitate the establishment, and the ongoing operation, of the student organization or to assist in organizing the activity.
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), an organization or activity includes an organization or activity that promotes equality and non‑discrimination with respect to, without limitation, race, religious belief, colour, gender, gender identity, gender expression, physical disability, mental disability, family status or sexual orientation, including but not limited to organizations such as gay‑straight alliances, diversity clubs, anti-racism clubs and anti‑bullying clubs.
(3) The students may select a respectful and inclusive name for the organization, including the name “gay-straight alliance” or “queer-straight alliance”, after consulting with the principal.
(4) The principal shall immediately inform the board and the Minister if no staff member is available to serve as a staff liaison referred to in subsection (1), and if so informed, the Minister shall appoint a responsible adult to work with the requesting students in organizing the activity or to facilitate the establishment, and the ongoing operation, of the student organization at the school.
(5) If a staff member indicates to a principal a willingness to act as a staff liaison under subsection (1),
(a) a principal shall not inform a board or the Minister under subsection (4) that no staff member is available to serve as a staff liaison, and
(b) that staff member shall be deemed to be available to serve as the staff liaison.
RSS Feed
