The following is a message from the Minister of Education Stephen Lecce regarding Pride Month in Ontario. June 1 marks the beginning of Pride month in Ontario and around the world. For many, Pride is a time to celebrate the things that make us unique and special, to look to community for acceptance and support and to demonstrate our commitment to making every single person feel welcome.
Recognizing that many 2SLGBTQ+ students face increasing levels of bullying, harassment, and mental health issues, it is my expectation that school boards will redouble their efforts to protect these students and ensure their inclusion within Ontario schools.
It is incumbent on all school boards to ensure all students – most especially 2SLGBTQ+ students – feel supported, reflected in their schools, and welcomed within our communities. That includes celebrating Pride in a constructive, positive and meaningful ways to affirm that 2SLGBTQ+ students know that their educators and staff, school board administrators, and government stand with them.
We firmly believe that all publicly funded schools must be safe spaces for all children, regardless of race, heritage, faith, sexuality, and gender.
My message to children in our schools, particularly 2SLGBTQ+ students is that Ontario’s government sees them, values them, and we are proud to stand with them.
Sincerely,
Stephen Lecce Minister of Education
I don't think that the minister overstepped any boundaries here. Isn't it part of her job to guide school policy?
On the other hand, I think it's great that LGBTQ+ pupils can feel supported in their schools. Especially since there seems to be a lot of irrational fear of them lately.
My issue is with the third paragraph; its good that schools are mandated to provide a safe space for pride to e celebrated. It is not good though, that any institution, is forced from top down, to celebrate something of which most of its constituents know nothing about. Its very much part of the corporatization of pride, schools must celebrate it to lool successful, not because it actually matters on any level.
This is a symptom and a cause of the pride backlash we're seeing this year
The pride itself is a backlash. When I was in high school, teachers couldn't mention the existence of homosexuality. Once the violent bigotry calms down, we'll probably see an end to pride parades, or maybe it'll become another one-day holiday, like Hallowe'en, but for rainbows.
The rainbows will continue until morale improves. Hopefully I'll live long enough to see the need for pride parades calm down (but we may as well keep at least one flamboyant rainbow-day).
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