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Our families are asking for this. Our educators are asking for this. "The trustees who are opposed to raising the Pride flag are using their own personal compasses to guide the decision and aren't listening to their communities," Power said. She said the Pride flag is a symbol of acceptance. Power is also a physician who focuses on student health. "The time to act and the time to advocate does not end today and did not end yesterday and we need to continue to do it until everyone in all marginalized communities feel safe to be who they are."Īlexandra Power, a mother of three, two of whom attend Halton Catholic schools, said the board doesn't have community support for its decision. Kirsten Kelly is shown here standing in a classroom. Kelly said she will continue to advocate that the board fully support 2SLGBTQ+ students. Kelly called these measures are "baby steps" and "points of progress" but there is still need for unconditional acceptance of students - "fully as you are" - and that the lack of acceptance is hurtful. The mandatory training is be completed by the 2021-2022 school year if not sooner. Then the trustees passed a motion requiring the board to provide mandatory training for senior staff on supporting students who identify as 2SLGBTQ+, to raise awareness around Pride month, and to post "safe space poster signage" to ensure that students in the 2SLGBTQ+ community are supported throughout the school year. As Ali Chiasson reports, some who attended the board meeting on Monday are frustrated - but support for LGBTQ students is pouring in.Īt the Monday meeting, trustees voted against a motion to fly the Pride flag at schools in June, amending it substantially. WATCH | CBC Toronto's Ali Chiasson reports on reaction to the board vote on Monday:ĭuration 2:06 The Halton Catholic District School Board has voted against flying the Rainbow Pride flag in front of schools during Pride Month this June. Having a Pride flag up would be a symbolic show of support from our Catholic community that shows that we care, we listen and we acknowledge you." "They brought it up because many students don't feel safe in their own school environments because of the homophobia and the transphobia from staff and students alike. "They mentioned it because the representation of students in Halton Catholic is very invisible and we weren't acknowledged," Kelly said. Hotchkiss presented the idea at a board meeting on April 6. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Secondary School. Kelly said the idea of flying the Pride flag in June at schools came from a student delegate, Nicole Hotchkiss, who's in Grade 12 at Oakville's St.
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And it's just full of bigotry and hatred, which is not what the Bible says." 'We weren't acknowledged,' student trustee says "It's just really frustrating and goes to show that a lot of people don't want to move forward and they are very set back in their ways in trying to defend the fact the 2SLGBTQ+ community shouldn't be supported by the Catholic community. Kelly said the meeting was marked by delays and interruptions. Kelly said a special meeting of school board trustees held on Monday lasted nearly four hours and the outcome was extremely disappointing. Rainbow Pride flags still a rare sight at Ontario Catholic schools.