Homophobic Parents Attack Equity Policy for Toronto's Catholic Schools

by Brandon Miller · 2011-05-07 10:00:00 UTC
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Late last month, 150 people filled a gymnasium at Our Lady of Lourdes Public School in Toronto. They were there to discuss the new equity and inclusion policy of the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB). The event did little to show that the Catholic community is in support of gay-inclusive schools.

“There is nothing wrong with telling our kids [being gay] is a dangerous lifestyle,” said one unnamed parent, according to gay news outlet Xtra.ca.

“Once you allow a GSA, then [schools] will have to allow everything else," said another parent, Lola Fortino. "The Catholic faith is being undermined. Our children will be so confused."

Many parents demanded that sexual orientation be removed from the equity document, citing false beliefs that their children will be confused. There was also a marked consensus that the "gay lifestyle" would be "normalized" by this policy. Forget that the proposed policy is intended to focus on efforts to keep schools safe and students free from bullying.

“Banning GSAs makes students feel under attack, like we're discriminated against by our school,” student Matt West, 15, tells Xtra.ca. “Some of my friends are scared to go to school because of bullying. It absolutely sickens me.”

The TCDSB is the last Ontario Catholic Board to enact an equity policy. Parents claim that allowing students to identify as LGBT will encourage gay sex, and sex out of wedlock. For what it's worth, the board's Superintendent for Education Patrick Keyes seems to get the core issue.

“The Catholic community is very confused as to what equity and inclusion means. That’s what we’re trying to communicate,” he says. “I’ve heard from lots of people who self-identify as gay, and they certainly don’t feel like they are part of the church. And thought needs to be given to that.”

In Ontario, Catholic schools are publicly funded. For now, they seem unwilling and unable to meet the needs of all of their students, namely those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning. It is time to stop funding hate-filled educational institutions. To sign our petition calling for the end of Catholic school funding in Ontario, visit here.

Photo Credit: TCDSB

Brandon Miller is a freelance writer and editor from Toronto, Ontario.
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