Promoting tolerance good for our schools

Dear editor: Re: “Program focuses on gender fluidity,” by Cathy McAvoy (Courier, May 29). McAvoy, who according to her letter was a former public school teacher, must not have taught mathematics or statistical analysis during her career.

In her letter to the Courier, she says 90 out of the 100 people at a recent Central Okanagan School Board meeting were opposed to the SOGI 123 program. She describes this as “countable proof” for objection to the controversial program.

Anti-SOGI crusader Shara Mendoza, who according to the CBC’s Chris Walker doesn’t even have children attending public schools, requested a 10-minute delegation with the board. The board obliged.

Mendoza obviously notified her supporters and those with similar beliefs about the meeting and, as people are when they are passionate about any issue, they came out in support.

I didn’t know about this meeting, nor did my friends or other parents, and chances are if it was advertised or sent home in a school newsletter, people would have come out to support SOGI 123.

She goes on to state: “the strongest family unit promotes a mother and father living in a heterosexual household.”

Wow. What’s next, that whites are smarter than people of colour, that boys are superior to girls, or children with blue eyes are superior to those with green and brown eyes.

McAvoy and Mendoza are in the minority. Most sensible parents, as well as humanitarians, support SOGI 123.

The attitudes expressed in her letter went out of fashion in the 1970s, right about the time Anita Bryant got creamed in the face by a pie. Fortunately, McAvoy is now retired.

I prefer the attitudes shown by our young teachers who embrace a set of resources such as SOGI 123.

Liz Garrison, Kelowna