Teachers want gay and transgender issues in curriculum

TYLER KULA

The Observer

Elementary teachers are calling on the Education Ministry to include lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and transsexual issues in school curriculum.

The Elementary Teachers’ Federation recently sent a letter to Education Minister Kathleen Wynne asking that the curriculum reflect family diversity.

“We want children to have a positive worth of themselves, and if there are circumstances at home where they have two moms or two dads, that’s fine,” said local union president Ron Rivait.

He said the goal is to eliminate name calling and any sense of exclusion children may feel who are gay, or who have LGBT parents.

“All students need to feel valued and included,” said Ontario president David Clegg. “All students need positive role models.”

Jim Costello, acting director with the Lambton Kent District School Board, said curriculum is a ministry decision but that the board has no problem including LGBT issues.

“From an Ontario Human Rights Code standpoint, all students have a right to fair and equitable treatment,” he said. “We strive to share that in our classrooms at all times. The resources we use are ministry approved and, provided (the proposed resources) are ministry approved … we would certainly be open to using them.”

Resources include union-developed “We’re Erasing Prejudice for Good” and “Imagine a World that is Free from Fear.” Both include lesson plans, books and class materials that focus on equality.

“We don’t want that child to feel like they’re coming from a lesser home or they’re less loved or that there’s anything wrong with them, because there isn’t,” Rivait said.

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The ministry has already released a new equity and inclusive education strategy that addresses the issue, Costello said.

“And we hope they’ll release an implementation plan. If they don’t we’ll develop our own and move forward.”

Sarnia public school trustee Paul Millman said any implementation strategy would need to be done with sensitivity and focus on more mature students.

The most important thing, he said, is that every student has the right to be safe and respected at school.

“That’s in our board mission statement,” he said. “Keep your opinions to yourself — school should be a place for learning where students are safe.”