Alberta school boards block debate, vote on LGBTQ motion

[Ayla]

EDMONTON - Delegates to the Alberta School Board Association's fall meeting were blocked Monday from debating or voting on a proposal that the group help its members establish policies to protect students who identify as sexual or gender minorities.
The motion from Edmonton Public Schools needed the support of just over 66 per cent of those attending to be accepted on the agenda.
But enough boards — about 38 per cent — argued the issue wasn't prominent enough and voted against dealing with the motion.
Michael Janz, chairman of the Edmonton board, said he was shocked that the proposal didn't get enough support to be discussed.
"We think that our association, which holds itself to be the gold standard of education policy, should have a policy for sexual orientation and gender minority students," he said.
"We have a policy on oilwell sites. We have a policy on defibrillators. I think it is fair that we could ask for a policy on this area as well."
The proposal called on the association to support all 61 public, Catholic and francophone school boards in establishing inclusive, safe and healthy learning and working environments for everyone, including the LGBTQ community.
Janz had said research shows that sexual-minority youth experience more bullying, harassment and alienation than their heterosexual peers.
Most of the 24 boards that voted against allowing the motion to come to the floor for debate were Catholic.
Ralph Wohlgemuth, a trustee with the Grande Prairie Catholic School District, said the association already has a policy to protect students that doesn't specifically mention sexual or gender minorities.
"I think our policies need to be inclusive of all students," he said. "I am a believer that by identifying specific groups you sometimes run the risk of alienating others."
Earlier this month, Education Minister Dave Eggen sent a letter to school boards noting that provincial law requires boards to create a safe learning environment, including for LGBTQ students.
He has given the boards until March 31 to provide draft policies to the ministry for review.
Eggen said the association's refusal to debate the motion doesn't change the obligation of school boards to take action. He said the government is working with the association and with individual boards.

www.brandonsun.com/national/breaking-news/alberta-school-boards-association-to-grapple-with-motion-for-lgbtq-policy-350456471.html?

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Janz had said research shows that sexual-minority youth experience more bullying, harassment and alienation than their heterosexual peers.
But enough boards — about 38 per cent — argued the issue wasn't prominent enough and voted against dealing with the motion.

Yes, the issue isn't prominent enough.  There are certain kids who are special targets for bullying and harassment.  So why the hell isn't this issue prominent enough?  Well, just because some people don't want this issue to be prominent.  They simply don't care.  And who would these people be?

Most of the 24 boards that voted against allowing the motion to come to the floor for debate were Catholic.

I see.  That says a lot, doesn't it?  But why exactly don't they see this issue as prominent?

Ralph Wohlgemuth, a trustee with the Grande Prairie Catholic School District, said the association already has a policy to protect students that doesn't specifically mention sexual or gender minorities.  "I think our policies need to be inclusive of all students," he said. "I am a believer that by identifying specific groups you sometimes run the risk of alienating others."

I see.  We can't identify specific groups, because then others would feel alienated.  But this ignores the fact that a specific group has already been identified: i.e., LGBT kids have already been targeted by their peers for special treatment.  In other words, Mr. Wohlgemuth is comfortable with them being identified for the purposes of bullying, but he's not comfortable with the idea of them being identified for the purposes of protection.  Also, since the non-LGBT kids haven't been identified for the purposes of bullying, then they must feel alienated by being left out.  And we can't have that.  Since we don't want them to feel alienated, we need to include them when it comes to bullying.  Every student should be bullied equally so that nobody will feel alienated.

Currently, 13 of Alberta's publicly funded school divisions have some form of a policy. None is Catholic.

Political correctness gone amok.  Think of all those non-LGBT, non-bullied kids who are feeling so left out and alienated.  It's time to put an end to this wishy-washy, liberal rubbish.

Wells said he can't understand why some boards are reluctant to talk about it. "Why don't they see this as an issue that should be part of public discussion for a public Alberta School Boards Association?" he asked. "What are they afraid of?"

Frankly, I don't know, Mr. Wells.  I can't read people's minds.  But we could have fun speculating.  Maybe they're afraid that the idea will spread that God doesn't hate LGBT people.  Or maybe they just like the notion of LGBT kids getting beaten up, and they're afraid the fun's going to come to an end.  Sorry, I'm being cynical and uncharitable.  What they're actually afraid of is that non-LGBT kids will feel alienated if a measure is adopted to try and cut down on the harassment of LGBT kids.