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.

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Contact Person: Casey Oraa

Chair, Political Action Committee
caseyoraa@gmail.com

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