The Alberta government passed legislation last week that will enable gay-straight alliances to be established in schools throughout the province.
The amended Bill 10, which was originally introduced in early December, will allow students to create GSA's in their schools, give them the right to meet on school property and allow them to use any name of their choosing.
“I think it is a long time coming that the province has actually passed this and that there is going to be a provincial mandate to create a safe place for kids to be,” said Corey Baker, principal at BCHS. “The more we can do for kids to create a safe and caring environment is just a win for kids.”
Amendments to the legislation were announced by education Minister Gordon Dirks on March 10, the first official day of the spring session at the legislature. The announcement also included changes to the Alberta Bills of Rights, which will entrench sexual orientation, sex, gender identity, and gender expression as protected grounds from discrimination.
“I can't say that I'm surprised. I expected that there would be something coming down,” said Mary Anne Penner, Board Chair for the Lakeland Catholic School Division. “The legislation addresses all vulnerable students, something that Catholic Schools have been advocating for since the Bill was initially introduced. It is now flexible and allows the local schools and principals the flexibility needed to respond to students' needs at a local level.”
The topic of LGBTQ students' rights was brought up in the Alberta Legislature by Liberal MLA Laurie Blakeman when she introduced Bill 202 on Nov. 20.
The government responded with Bill 10, which received backlash from all sides. Many, including Blakeman, were upset that the Bill didn't do enough to provide a safe place for LGBTQ students throughout the province. The criticism from across the province caused Premier Jim Prentice to put the Bill on pause in order to conduct public consultations.
Minister of Education Gordon Dirks was front and centre in the consultation process travelling across the province and talking to Albertans. During his tour he mentioned that some of his talks with youth were heart wrenching.
“You would have heard students talking about the taunting, mocking and bullying and they have suffered because of their sexual orientation. You would hear them speak of parents who don't understand them, of online bullying and of suicidal thoughts,” Dirks said.
He added, “They told me, sometimes in tears, how alone and helpless they have felt when caring friends and sympathetic teachers are not around. I tabled these amendments for these young people, in hopes that they will always have a safe and welcoming community.”
While Bill 10 could eventually have impacts on the schools in Bonnyville, the impacts won't be seen this year as no school in town currently operates a GSA or any related club.
Baker says that BCHS used to have a club at the school, called the Glee club, which served the same role as a GSA would.
“We usually take a lead from the kids. This particular year we haven't really had as big of an interest as a couple of years ago when we had a contingent of about four or five kids approach us about a club,” said Baker.
The club ran once a week, and acted as a safe environment for a wide spectrum of students who attended the local school.
“It ended up being a really neat club,” Baker added. “Kids from all walks of life ended up being a part of it and there were probably about 15 kids who would just hang out. It was a really good experience for those kids.”
The other high school in town, Notre Dame High School, has never had a peer support group for gay students at their school. Penner says the school division does preach equality and tries to make all of their students feel welcome.
“As a Catholic School District we feel that all our students should feel welcomed and supported and that they are valued, respected, feel welcome and belong to our school district,” said Penner. “I think that we offer a comprehensive and all encompassing program environment for the schools.”
