Teachers seek inclusion of transgender, gay issues in curriculum

By Rosalind Raby – Mid-north Monitor

The largest representative group of elementary teachers in Canada is calling on the Ontario government to enshrine new legislation into the curriculum. That is not unusual in itself, but this time the group is looking at the ‘Rainbow coalition’, or what is commonly known these days as LGBT.

The Government of Ontario should acknowledge and ensure that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and transsexual (LGBT) issues are included in the elementary curriculum, says the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO). In a letter to Education Minister, Kathleen Wynne, ETFO President, David Clegg, stressed that the elementary curriculum should recognize the diversity of families and reflect the life experiences of all children in Ontario classrooms.

He said it is particularly vital for students who are gay and/or whose parents are gay to see themselves and their experiences reflected in positive ways. All students need to feel valued and included. All students need positive role models. As educators and citizens, teachers want to create an environment that is safe for growth and development, Clegg added.

The federation wants to ensure that many perspectives are included to provide teachers with an understanding and appreciation for the diversity within their school and communities. They want to dispel myths and stereotypes that perpetuate fear.

The issues raised in ETFO’s letter to the minister reflects similar issues highlighted during the May 1 International Day Against Homophobia, a day set aside to focus on the positive aspects of homosexuality, and to celebrate the contributions of lesbians and gays to society.

EFTO has developed and provided classroom resources, such as ‘We’re Erasing Prejudice for Good’ and ‘Imagine a World that is Free from Fear’, that demonstrate ways to address diversity and inclusion from kindergarten to Grade 8.

The federation represents 73,000 elementary public school teachers and education workers across the province and is the largest teacher federation in Canada, so it carries a fair amount of clout when it comes to curriculum issues.

I accept diversity and have no problem, as an adult, understanding the differences involved in gender issues, but I must admit, I do have a concern as a parent, as to what my children learn and when, especially when it comes to such highly personal issues. Not everyone is comfortable discussing gender issues, and for some people it can generate real stress and concerns, especially if taking a religious interpretation. The argument for or against gender recognition, is, simply put, not winnable. There will always be those who will not accept it under any circumstances. The argument simply isn’t winnable with some parents who will be horrified to learn about this possible new addition to their child’s curriculum, that is, if the province moves forward with the legislation.

However, I’m somewhat surprised the federation would come out with this position without consultation with parents. I don’t recall being asked by anyone within the school system how I felt about this idea. As a parent to two elementary school students, and as someone supposedly in the ‘news’ loop, I was somewhat taken aback when this information came across the wire. I, as I’m sure most parents woudl agree, want my children to understand there are different people in the world, that we are definitely not all the same, and that everyone should be accepted for who they are. That’s an ideal, I hope that most people would try to live up to.

But, I do have a problem with outside forces deciding how my children are to be taught this vital information. I believe it is up to parents to decide how and when to talk to their children about LGBT and related issues, especially at the elementary school level. Some parents have a difficult enough time to talking to their children about sex, let alone getting into all the LGBT issues.

Some children come from a background where they have been abused, others do have identity problems, there is no doubt they need help to grow. The tremendous value of the support they receive from their fellow students is extremely important. Most people, I believe, remember what it was like to be the last one called for the team or how it felt to be rejected when we were young. Dealing with LGBT issues must be Hell on Earth for some children who are getting mixed messages or don’t know how to articulate their differences, wants and needs yet, but they know they are ‘different’.

This is a touchy issue. Some parents will be happy to have the education system provide the sexual education, in all its forms, to their children. Others will not. However, there has to be a middle ground. I as a parent, want the opportunity to see what will be taught in regards to LGBT issues, and the right to reject or accept it for my childrem. I’ll be writing a letter to my MPP to tell him so.