qo press release - qo to ministry of ed, enforce ppm 145

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Queer Ontario PO Box 822, Station A Toronto, Ontario M5W 1G3 www.queerontario.org EWS RELEASE January 24, 2011 Queer Ontario Calls on the Ministry of Education to Enforce their Policy in Support of Gay Straight Alliances in the Halton Catholic District School Board Queer Ontario has written to Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Education, to ask that she intervene and enforce Ministry Policy that mandates school boards to support Gay Straight Alliances (GSAs). As outlined in Policy/Program Memorandum 145 under the sub-section “Prevention and Awareness Raising”*: In order to promote a positive school climate, school boards must provide opportunities for all members of the school community to increase their knowledge and understanding of such issues as homophobia, gender-based violence, sexual harassment, inappropriate sexual behaviour, critical media literacy, and safe Internet use. Ontario's curriculum provides many opportunities for students to develop an understanding of these topics. Boards must also help school staff to give support to students who wish to participate in gay–straight alliances and in other student-led activities that promote understanding and development of healthy relationships. Schools must also engage their school councils and student councils to support these student-led activities. We believe that the time has come for the Ministry to intervene and support lesbian, gay, bi, trans and queer (LGBTQ) youth in their fight for GSAs. Even with the rescinding of the ban by the Halton Catholic District School Board, it is clear that they are still not allowing students to form GSAs – much less supporting students in developing them. Queer Ontario asks that the Ministry intervene and ensure that LGBTQ students in the Halton Catholic District School Board – and in both Public and Catholic Schools across Ontario – are supported in their efforts to start up and participate in GSAs. -30- Contact Person: Casey Oraa Chair, Political Action Committee [email protected] *SOURCE: http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/extra/eng/ppm/145.html

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Page 1: QO Press Release - QO to Ministry of Ed, Enforce PPM 145

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Queer Ontario

PO Box 822, Station A

Toronto, Ontario M5W 1G3

www.queerontario.org

%EWS RELEASE

January 24, 2011

Queer Ontario Calls on the Ministry of Education to Enforce their Policy in Support of Gay

Straight Alliances in the Halton Catholic District School Board

Queer Ontario has written to Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Education, to ask that she intervene and

enforce Ministry Policy that mandates school boards to support Gay Straight Alliances (GSAs). As

outlined in Policy/Program Memorandum 145 under the sub-section “Prevention and Awareness

Raising”*:

In order to promote a positive school climate, school boards must provide opportunities for

all members of the school community to increase their knowledge and understanding of

such issues as homophobia, gender-based violence, sexual harassment, inappropriate sexual

behaviour, critical media literacy, and safe Internet use. Ontario's curriculum provides

many opportunities for students to develop an understanding of these topics. Boards must

also help school staff to give support to students who wish to participate in gay–straight

alliances and in other student-led activities that promote understanding and development of

healthy relationships. Schools must also engage their school councils and student councils

to support these student-led activities.

We believe that the time has come for the Ministry to intervene and support lesbian, gay, bi, trans and

queer (LGBTQ) youth in their fight for GSAs. Even with the rescinding of the ban by the Halton Catholic

District School Board, it is clear that they are still not allowing students to form GSAs – much less

supporting students in developing them. Queer Ontario asks that the Ministry intervene and ensure that

LGBTQ students in the Halton Catholic District School Board – and in both Public and Catholic Schools

across Ontario – are supported in their efforts to start up and participate in GSAs.

-30-

Contact Person: Casey Oraa

Chair, Political Action Committee

[email protected]

*SOURCE: http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/extra/eng/ppm/145.html