Edmonton Public School Trustees Unanimously Pass Policy Designed To Protect Staff And Students From Discrimination Based On Sexual Orientation Or Gender Identity; First School Board In Western Canada To Do So

Edmonton public school trustees have unanimously passed a sexual orientation and gender identity policy designed to protect sexual minorities and make schools welcoming and safe for all students and staff. "This includes those students, staff and families who identify or are perceived as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, two-spirit, queer or questioning their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression," the policy says. "The board expects all members of this diverse community to be welcomed, respected, accepted and supported in every school." The Edmonton Journal reports that trustees voted in favour of the policy Tuesday after months of analysis that included gathering public input and revising the draft document. Board chairman Dave Colburn called the decision a "historic and important" moment but also "just the first step" in creating better support, acceptance and school environments for sexual minorities. "We're having a conversation now in Alberta that is overdue - and we know that over years it's going to shift the culture, so this is really very exciting," Colburn said. School district administrators will develop a set of regulations to give the policy its teeth. That will include rules about how staff are expected to respond to bullying, Edmonton Public Schools Supt. Edgar Schmidt said. Schmidt also intends to establish an advisory group that will help school district authorities make sure the policy is successfully implemented. School authorities will provide annual updates so trustees can see if the policy and regulations are working, Schmidt said. The Edmonton public school board started working on the policy in March, becoming the first school board in the prairies to approve development of a specific policy to protect sexual minority students and staff. The school district developed the wording for the policy after gathering input from students, staff and the public, and examining similar policies in Vancouver and Victoria. The school district already had an umbrella policy dealing with discrimination against sexual minorities. However, trustee Christopher Spencer, who raised the idea of creating the policy last February, said the past rules didn't go far enough. More than 2,000 respondents answered a web-based survey to offer their views on the draft policy released in April. Most people voiced support for the policy. Among those opposing the policy was a Christian program that operates inside seven public schools. The Edmonton Logos Society sent "an alert to parents" in June outlining concerns that the proposed policy might force teachers and principals with the Christian alternative program to go against their beliefs.