Nothing wrong with same-sex affection
Homophobia is still a plague rampant throughout our schools and afflicting society in general, and as much as people like to think they’re accepting of samesex affection, it’s certainly a different case to actually witness it in person.
Seeing two young men kissing still sends many people to a very uncomfortable place.
So, when Kaela Wilton of Onoway Secondary School in northwest Edmonton enshrined her mural of love and acceptance upon a hallowed hall in her school of two young men embracing, it certainly was not met with adoration and praise.
Even after she got consent from the school’s principal, James Trodden, and guidance support, the school eclipsed her portrayal of the two young men sharing their affection with a bulletin board because of complaints from other students and parents.
It is rare to find a principal with principles who will stand his ground against public backlash on any hot topic. It should come as no surprise to find one in Alberta turning tail under such circumstances.
“At the time, we should have put more thought into the bigger picture,” Trodden said. “There are a bunch of issues. … What is appropriate? Should it be in a school, should you allow kissing?”
The question of appropriateness of kissing in school is nonsensical. For it to be seen as a legitimate concern for a secondary school administrator shows a lack of priorities to say the least, and questionable morals at worst.
Young people who should be comfortable expressing their affection to their partners are made to feel ashamed — or, worse, afraid — as is the case for most same-sex couples when they hold hands, let alone share an innocent kiss.
And really, is that what should be enforced in schools in the 21st century?
We are, with great difficulty, coaxing educators into the new world of learning that includes talking about safe sexual practices and being comfortable discussing sexuality.
Because the topic of sex and sexuality continues to be taboo at so many educational institutions, we are seeing children becoming pregnant and engaging in sexual activity at an earlier and earlier age. Taking part in an adult practice has adult consequences, and whether that’s teen pregnancy or a sexually transmitted disease, we need to make our students aware of that.
If your response to a depiction of an embrace is to hide it, what are you going to respond with when a 16-year-old asks about safe sex?
Would the kissing discussion be happening if it were a heterosexual couple?
To be frank, the answer is no. Might people be slightly put off by a painting of a lady and gent smooching? Of course not.
Kaela put it best when she said, “It’s just natural.”
Whether it’s young men kissing, two young women, or a lady and gent, love is love and it’s just natural.
We’re moving forward in the world of openness and acceptance of our LGBT brothers and sisters in school and beyond. But we need to keep moving forward and taking steps to make sure such murals are not hidden by bulletin boards — or ignorance. Noah Davis-Power former president St. John’s Pride Inc.