Halton Ontario Catholic School Trustee Approve Deliberately Ambiguous Non-Discrimination Policy

The Toronto Star reports on the decision made Tuesday evening by the Halton Ontario Catholic school trustee to endorse a policy that neither approves of nor rejects the formation of gay-straight alliances. The policy, as ambiguous as it is ineffective, will now be sent to parish priests, parents, school administrators, church councils, and students for input prior to returning to the board for final approval. In January, after public outcry, the Halton Board lifted a ban on gay-straight alliances that had been put in place by the outgoing board in late 2010 as a way to circumvent recommendations by the province’s Minister of Education that promotes the formation of gay-straight alliances as a means to support gay students and encourage inclusivity. The proposed Halton policy recommends a new group to discuss all forms of discrimination in schools, and deliberately does not use the words “gay,” “lesbian,” or “homosexual.” Called By Your SIDE Spaces – an acronym for safety, inclusivity, diversity, and equity, the new group, according to Mary Tessari, superintendent of education at the Halton Catholic District School Board, “would be open to all students. This is not a static plan. We are hoping to monitor it.” Trustees Jane Michael and Paul Marai, the first openly gay member elected to the board, both voted against the proposal. A public forum was held prior to the vote, and a woman addressed the board, urged it to reject gay-straight alliances, and compared homosexuals to adulterers, drunkards, and slanders. Board chair Alice Anne LeMay quickly said “I must say that I personally disagree with you, and believe that you do not accurately reflect the teachings of the church on homosexuality. I believe that the church teaches that every individual is to be treated with reverence, and that we are to see the face of Christ in every person. To suggest that any student, by virtue of their sexual orientation, is not a child of God, is not the teaching of the Catholic Church. However, this is a democracy, and our policy permits you to express your views whether we agree with them or not.”