Canadian provinces force children to celebrate gender disorientation

At least two Canadian provinces are forcing schools to make children celebrate gender disorientation.

Earlier last month, Ontario Minister of Education Stephen Lecce published a statement warning school boards to “celebrate Pride”.

“[I]t is my expectation that school boards will redouble their efforts to protect these students and ensure their inclusion within Ontario schools,” he said.

“It is incumbent on all school boards to ensure all students – most especially 2SLGBTQ+ students – feel supported, reflected in their schools, and welcomed within our communities. That includes celebrating Pride in a constructive, positive and meaningful ways [sic] to affirm that 2SLGBTQ+ students know that their educators and staff, school board administrators, and government stand with them,” Lecce added.

Some of the activities in schools include rainbow arts and crafts, assemblies, guest speakers, and even a “spirit day” where children are encouraged to wear rainbow clothing, according to the National Post.

In Ottawa, the Ottawa-Carlton District School Board sent teachers an email with instructions on how to force gender disorientation on their students. The board also warned them that if they do not teach gender disorientation, they will be in breach of the law.

“The exclusion or erasure of 2SLGBTQ+ identities from educational materials constitutes a form of discrimination,” said the email, which was sent by Superintendent of Instruction, Equity Mary Jane Farrish, Superintendent of Instruction, Indigenous Education Shannon Smith and Acting Superintendent of Program and Learning Brent Smith.

Some of the board’s instructions included teaching all students about gender disorientation, starting in kindergarten. Staff are responsible for “embedding resources that accurately reflect and honor 2SLGBTQ+ identities into curriculum subjects and the overall learning environment, from Kindergarten to Grade 12.”

These “2SLGBTQ+ learnings” are mandatory, the board says, “without the option to opt out.”

“It is essential to understand that human rights are not open to debate or selective participation.”

Frequently, opt out requests are made in connection with a student’s or family’s religious beliefs. While everyone has the right to hold religious beliefs, it’s important to note that expressing those beliefs at school does not allow the right to (1) opt out of 2SLGBTQ+ learning or (2) express discriminatory perspectives towards 2SLGBTQ+ individuals. Families may choose to keep their child home during Pride Month learning activities, but schools should not offer the option or approve requests to opt out while in school.

Teachers are also asked to begin the new school year by referring to all students with “they/them pronouns” until the students notify them of their “preferred pronouns”.

The board enjoins educators to be “vigilant in identifying instances of bias, discrimination, and hate towards 2SLGBTQ+ students, and promptly taking action to address them.”