Equity Policy Passed - Sexual Orientation Strand
The Hamilton Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) Policy Committee approved the draft Equity Policy (Sexual Orientation) on June 2nd, 2008 (despite the objections of more than 86% of public responses!) and despite hearing objections and concerns on May 12th from the Pan-Orthodox Church, the HWFAC with its Appendix, and from the school council representative on its steering committee. Then the Trustees applauded themselves for their ‘coming out of the closet.’
After hearing five delegations in favour of the Equity Policy Sexual Orientation Strand, and upon hearing the report of the Equity Department (who did not address any of the numerous specific objections or concerns raised by the public but instead talked about the development process), voted unanimously in favour of the draft policy. There was only one abstention, that of Trustee Lillian Orban who raised the need for the inclusion of heterosexual protection in the policy. The public audience in support of her motions made it very clear they would like to see this issue discussed. However, neither of her two motions were seconded by another Trustee.
The five delegations represented: Home and School Council, Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation (OSSTF, a major driver of the policy), Centenary United Church, and a delegate , GLBT Advisory Committee of Hamilton, and Health Initiatives for Youth Society of Hamilton (HIFY, formerly Planned Parenthood).
Speak with your Trustee. Ask them why, when more than 14 other Ontario public school boards have not passed ‘homophobia’ policies but anti-harassment policies instead, that they must go this route when clearly the public is demanding otherwise.
Ask them why they do not acknowledge regulations enacted by the Canadian Blood Services, The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Health Canada and case law from the Ontario Court of Appeal (January 12, 2007) which identify homosexual conduct as high-risk and thus find bona fide reasons to permit ‘rational discrimination’ which is health-based. They do not impinge upon the Charter of Rights or human rights legislation. According to our Equity Policy, these organizations are homophobic.
Our question on May 12, 2008 to the Committee of the Whole was, “If Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board’s Equity Policy results in a broader acceptance of homosexuality, what impact will this have on HIV rates?
See draft sexual orientation policy here. And here is the Trustee List.
We now encourage everyone to contact and meet with your MPP and file a complaint. Here is the MPP contact list.
Consider reviewing the research information and how others have responded. According to the draft policy’s glossary definition, all ‘legal’ sexual orientations are included in the draft policy. The School Board has refused to consider including as a sexual orientation reference to heterosexuality. They refer only to ‘heterosexism.’
It is presently unknown which of the ‘not illegal’ sexual orientations may demand to be included in the Equity Policy in the future. See CFAC’s list of all 22 possible so-called sexual orientations. And see NARTH’S website for further information on the subject of sexual orientation.