New Proposal Continues To Ban Formation Of Gay-Straight Alliances In Ontario Catholic Schools

The Halton Ontario Catholic District School Board repealed a ban on gay-straight alliances earlier this year, but a revised policy will not permit their formation, according to a report by the Toronto Star. Instead, the board has recommended approval of a new group to look at all types of discrimination in schools. The proposed By Your SIDE Spaces (an acronym for safety, inclusivity, diversity, and equality) will be set up to afford students a forum to discuss and address concerns at their high schools to make them more inclusive and safer for pupils regardless of race, origin, ability, or sexual orientation, according to a report being presented Tuesday evening. Students will then determine whether an additional forum to address a specific type of discrimination is required. “SIDE Spaces will benefit all students by addressing multiple types of discrimination while promoting diversity, equity and inclusivity among the student body and school community,” an appendix to the report states. “SIDE Spaces in schools will be determined where identified by student need.” Last week, Xtra, as previously posted, found that not one of twenty-nine Catholic School Boards in Ontario had allowed the formation of gay-straight alliances, despite contentions to the contrary. In comparison, of one-hundred and four high schools in the Toronto District School Board, thirty-one have gay-straight alliances. The SIDE Spaces strategy, according to Mary Tessari, superintendant of education at the Halton Catholic Board, complies with the mandate of the Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario, that states all students, regardless of sexual orientation, should “feel safe and respected” and “that each student be treated with dignity,” Tessari adding that the proposed plan balances student needs with church teachings.