School trustees firm on SOGI policy despite critics

Central Okanagan school trustees stand firmly in support of the Ministry of Education’s sexual-orientation gender identity program.

“I’m not seeing it the way you see it,” trustee Lee Mossman told the overflow gallery of parents lsat Wednesday. “When I say I support it, I see it for the positive things, the good things, the nurturing, inclusive things. I can tell you from deep down inside, it’s in the best interest of children.”

SOGI 123 is a set of resources that provides teachers with tools for addressing issues of gender identity and support for LGBTQ students.

In a 10-minute presentation to trustees, parent Shara Mendoza quoted mostly from a pamphlet created by Parents United Canada.

“Does this mean transgender rights trump our religious rights, our freedom of speech, our freedom of expression, our parental rights? No, it doesn’t,” she said.

“You will not allow penises in my daughter’s change room, shower or bathroom. You will not teach my child that they can change from a girl to a boy or a boy to a girl.”

Mendoza believes transgender kids should not compete against girls in athletic contests because it gives them an unfair advantage.

“You will not mention anal sex, polyamory, sadomasochism or transvestic fetishism to my child without my expressed consent.”

Her presentation was met with thunderous applause, lasting nearly a minute. Board chairwoman Moyra Baxter said she would not allow applause and threatened to clear the room if the gallery didn’t act respectfully. Baxter was frequently jeered with comments such as “you’re not answering the question.”

Superintendent Kevin Kaardal said parents are within their rights to speak at home with their children and even disagree with what’s being taught.

Responding to accusations that many teachers were fearful of their jobs should they oppose SOGI, Kaardal said a science teacher may not necessarily agree with parts of the curriculum he or she is teaching.

Several of the more than a dozen speakers were retired teachers, opposed to what’s being taught. Videos provided by SOGI 123 are online, and trustees were asked if they had actually watched them. A handful in attendance were in support. “I’m here in support of SOGI,” said Tor Broughton, age 12 and in Grade 7, who introduced himself as transgender.

“Thanks to SOGI, I can comfortably say I am transgender without having to explain myself. Everyone here has a sexual orientation and gender identity, and we aren’t just suddenly inventing these things. It’s been around forever, but it’s only now that we’re starting to speak about the unspoken.”

Grayson Nordgren, 22, graduated from Rutland Secondary School and attempted suicide three times between the ages of 14 and 15. He was disowned by his family because they were homophobic, he said.

“There are children who do not have a voice, who do not realize that there are people who support them and can help them along in their life journey. At a young age, I wish I had those resources,” he said.

SOGI was rolled out provincewide about a year ago. Kaardal said it’s part of the Ministry of Education’s curriculum and the board is unable to set its own policy on this.

Trustees received the delegation and invited comments during public question period. There was no formal vote. When pressed to say how they stand on the issue, all trustees said they support SOGI.

Outside of the Langley and Abbotsford region, the issue has created little buzz in B.C.

Okanagan Skaha superintendent Wendy Hyer said her district received just one letter before it approved its SOGI policy last year.

“The intent is to emphasize that all students and staff have a right to feel safe at school,” she noted in an email Sunday.

“There is no intent to change values or beliefs.”