Ontario Catholic Bishops Banning Creation Of Gay-Straight Alliances In Schools Province-Wide

According to an investigation by Xtra.ca gay-straight alliances are being banned by bishops in all Ontario Catholic schools, the gay and lesbian newspaper contacting all twenty-nine provincial Catholic school boards, none reported having a gay-straight alliance. That contradicts public comments made by politicians, school officials and even the national gay advocacy group EGALE, who contend that there exist GSA’s in the Ontario Catholic schools. Perhaps most troubling, according to the investigation, the curriculum that teaches an understanding of homosexuality within the Catholic school system, which is supported by taxpayers, is being set by the bishops and not by the policies of the Ministry of Education. Gerald Casey, the superintendent for the Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board, was asked whether gay-straight alliances were explicitly banned by the Bruce-Grey board, Casey answering “"No, I wouldn't say we ban them. We support student clubs that support inclusiveness, especially for students who might otherwise feel marginalized. But all our clubs must, however, adhere to the Catholic teachings and values.” When asked if students could start a GSA, Casey said “The answer would be no.” All curriculums taught at Ontario Catholic schools must be vetted by the Institute for Catholic Education; an institute created twenty-five years ago when the province extended full funding to Catholic high schools. Membership is comprised of principals, trustees, parents, and the Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario, which holds the final authority in determining that constitutes Catholic teachings and what does not. In 2004, the ACBO published the Pastoral Guideline to Assist Students of Same-Sex Orientation, serving the principle document to teach homosexuality in all Ontario Catholic schools. In the introduction to the 94-page directive, written by bishop Paul-André Durocher, chair of the ACBO Education Commission, he admits the church has "not always been sensitive to the particular needs of students with a same-sex orientation,” and calls for the elimination of "practices like bullying and unjust discrimination" and for the development of policies to meet the "special needs" of "students with a same-sex attraction." Following the introduction, there is a guide for keeping Catholic students with "a same-sex attraction" safe from both bullying and, more importantly, gay sex. The document avoids using the label "homosexual" as, it explains, "The orientation or act is homosexual or heterosexual but the person is not." A student may have "a same-sex attraction," but no one is gay. Further, if a student is suffering from these attractions, they must never act on them: "The bottom line of church teaching on gay sexual activity is simply: Don't. Ever. This is called lifelong abstinence, or a celibate lifestyle."