School board comes 'out of the closet'

[frycat101]

School board comes 'out of the closet'

Editorial
Jun 06, 2008
Large Medium Small Print This Article Tell a friend Trustees with the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board should be commended for bringing the issue of homophobia out of dark hallways and into the light under a new Equity Policy.

This week, trustees voted to send the board's Equity Policy Supporting Guidelines: Sexual Orientation to full board next week for final approval. Debate was heard before a packed boardroom. The updated policy replaces the existing Equity Policy. The final vote was 10-0 in favour, with one trustee abstaining.

"In many ways, I think you could say the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board has come out of the closet," said Ward 3 trustee Tim Simmons

Dundas trustee and vice-chair Jessica Brennan called the decision "historic."

"It encourages staff and students alike to value and show respect for diversity in HWDSB schools. As a board, we are committed to adopting measures to provide a safe environment for learning, free from harassment, violence and expressing hate."

The policy was developed in accordance with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Education Act. The development of the Equity Policy began in 1999 and was expanded in May 2002 to include anti-racism and ethnocultural equity; equity for persons with disabilities; sexual orientation; and gender equity.

Prior to its unanimous approval by trustees, the policy went through an extensive and at times, divisive consultation process that included:







Eight delegations from stakeholder groups

• Two by-invitation events in June 2007 for community organizations and members identified as stakeholders.

• Distribution of electronic and hard copies of the policy to school councils and the Home and School Association.

• Posting of the draft policy on the board's Web site for an eight-week period.

We applaud the board for hearing all points of view on this subject. It makes the decision even more meaningful to the community it serves.

Those who oppose the board's equity policy believe reverse discrimination will occur against those who believe in traditional family values. However, by adding 'sexual orientation' to its equity policy, the board is clearly stating intolerance of any nature will not be accepted in our schools. This isn't about being gay or straight. This is about protecting students from sexual discrimination of any nature.

Religious groups argue that acceptance of homosexuals under board equity guidelines undermines Christian doctrines and interpretations that these lifestyles are tantamount to condoning 'sin.' Some arguing from a religious perspective put forth suggesgtions that homosexuality is a disease that can be cured.

Our question is, why is religious fundamentalism being pushed and pressured on the public school system in the first place? The mandate of the HWDSB is to educate people from numerous religious, cultural and financial backgrounds.

If the HWDSB were to structure equity policies based on Christian morals, it would discriminate against children of other religious backgrounds.XD

Our schools must never condone discrimination of any kind. By adding homophobia to the list of attitudes that will not be tolerated in our educational institutions, the HWDSB has become one of only a few school boards in Ontario to identify sexual orientation as part of its equity policy.

Those who oppose the new equity policy have threatened to move their children to private schools. That is their right. However, we believe the best venue for teaching children religious values is in the home and church. Religious tenets of any nature must never creep into our public school system.







go to a private school..... wow such an easy solution to all you discriminatory people.

YAY CANADA...... hopefully the "land of the free" will follow. XD

[Loa]

Wow. Someone gets it. Go Canada.

It never ceases to amaze me how some religious nutcases refuse to accept that school isn't a religious organization or something, though.

[wow]

Originally Posted by frycat101

School board comes 'out of the closet'

Editorial
Jun 06, 2008
Large Medium Small Print This Article Tell a friend Trustees with the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board should be commended for bringing the issue of homophobia out of dark hallways and into the light under a new Equity Policy.

This week, trustees voted to send the board's Equity Policy Supporting Guidelines: Sexual Orientation to full board next week for final approval. Debate was heard before a packed boardroom. The updated policy replaces the existing Equity Policy. The final vote was 10-0 in favour, with one trustee abstaining.

"In many ways, I think you could say the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board has come out of the closet," said Ward 3 trustee Tim Simmons

Dundas trustee and vice-chair Jessica Brennan called the decision "historic."

"It encourages staff and students alike to value and show respect for diversity in HWDSB schools. As a board, we are committed to adopting measures to provide a safe environment for learning, free from harassment, violence and expressing hate."

The policy was developed in accordance with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Education Act. The development of the Equity Policy began in 1999 and was expanded in May 2002 to include anti-racism and ethnocultural equity; equity for persons with disabilities; sexual orientation; and gender equity.

Prior to its unanimous approval by trustees, the policy went through an extensive and at times, divisive consultation process that included:







Eight delegations from stakeholder groups

• Two by-invitation events in June 2007 for community organizations and members identified as stakeholders.

• Distribution of electronic and hard copies of the policy to school councils and the Home and School Association.

• Posting of the draft policy on the board's Web site for an eight-week period.

We applaud the board for hearing all points of view on this subject. It makes the decision even more meaningful to the community it serves.

Those who oppose the board's equity policy believe reverse discrimination will occur against those who believe in traditional family values. However, by adding 'sexual orientation' to its equity policy, the board is clearly stating intolerance of any nature will not be accepted in our schools. This isn't about being gay or straight. This is about protecting students from sexual discrimination of any nature.

Religious groups argue that acceptance of homosexuals under board equity guidelines undermines Christian doctrines and interpretations that these lifestyles are tantamount to condoning 'sin.' Some arguing from a religious perspective put forth suggesgtions that homosexuality is a disease that can be cured.

Our question is, why is religious fundamentalism being pushed and pressured on the public school system in the first place? The mandate of the HWDSB is to educate people from numerous religious, cultural and financial backgrounds.

If the HWDSB were to structure equity policies based on Christian morals, it would discriminate against children of other religious backgrounds.XD

Our schools must never condone discrimination of any kind. By adding homophobia to the list of attitudes that will not be tolerated in our educational institutions, the HWDSB has become one of only a few school boards in Ontario to identify sexual orientation as part of its equity policy.

Those who oppose the new equity policy have threatened to move their children to private schools. That is their right. However, we believe the best venue for teaching children religious values is in the home and church. Religious tenets of any nature must never creep into our public school system.







go to a private school..... wow such an easy solution to all you discriminatory people.

YAY CANADA...... hopefully the "land of the free" will follow. XD

How will the Canadians determine that someone fears Homos?
Torture, such as waterboarding, taser shock and sleep deprivation?

[wow]

Originally Posted by Loa

Wow. Someone gets it. Go Canada.

It never ceases to amaze me how some religious nutcases refuse to accept that school isn't a religious organization or something, though.

It's a culture war, the fight is on

[frycat101]

Originally Posted by wow

How will the Canadians determine that someone fears Homos?
Torture, such as waterboarding, taser shock and sleep deprivation?

no no, you got that wrong those were the test they did on homosexuals to determine if homosexuality was curable.

but to determine if someone fears something well the basic thing in a high school :
1. Gossip, bad rumors
2. getting beat up or ridiculed


also they are just trying to make students get along well with one another and are trying to stop them from being so disciminatory. Thats another definition of what going on, is that better for you?

Homophobia what a sensitive word, no?

[wow]

Originally Posted by frycat101

no no, you got that wrong those were the test they did on homosexuals to determine if homosexuality was curable.

but to determine if someone fears something well the basic thing in a high school :
1. Gossip, bad rumors
2. getting beat up or ridiculed


also they are just trying to make students get along well with one another and are trying to stop them from being so disciminatory. Thats another definition of what going on, is that better for you?

Homophobia what a sensitive word, no?

Phobia means "fear" in the USA. I guess it means something else in Canada?
We had a few Homos in my large, diverse public school in the 70s.

No one paid attention to Homos probably because everyone had their own little group. The girl I'm dating now graduated in my class and I did not know her until a couple of years ago.

This sounds like something a small hick community would do.

You can't make gossip and rumors illegal in a large school, 90% of the students would be in jail. lol

Where do you get this notion that Homos are the only people constantly harassed?

[frycat101]

Originally Posted by wow

Where do you get this notion that Homos are the only people constantly harassed?

Did i say that???? where??? no wait a minute i didn't. Gay forum=gay issues

i don't deny others are being discriminated against, look at the race forum.

[frycat101]

Originally Posted by wow

Phobia means "fear" in the USA. I guess it means something else in Canada?
We had a few Homos in my large, diverse public school in the 70s.

No one paid attention to Homos probably because everyone had their own little group. The girl I'm dating now graduated in my class and I did not know her until a couple of years ago.

This sounds like something a small hick community would do.

You can't make gossip and rumors illegal in a large school, 90% of the students would be in jail. lol

Where do you get this notion that Homos are the only people constantly harassed?

also i was just saying some ways to show you are scared of something is if this happens. TAKE EVERYTHING TO THE NEXT LEVEL OF EXTREME, everything i say gets turned into something i didn't even say.

Homophobia does mean fear: again i was pointing out some ways that kids show their fear.

[wow]

Originally Posted by frycat101

Did i say that???? where??? no wait a minute i didn't. Gay forum=gay issues

i don't deny others are being discriminated against, look at the race forum.

This question will cover the entire subject.

In the business world, when people have specific occupations, discrimination is perfectly legal and protected under consumer rights laws. How will Homos be prepared for this situation and how will they deal with it?

[frycat101]

Originally Posted by wow

This question will cover the entire subject.

In the business world, when people have specific occupations, discrimination is perfectly legal and protected under consumer rights laws. How will Homos be prepared for this situation and how will they deal with it?

wait a sec, how in the business world?? ( i am actually asking, i want to learn)