Same-sex couple questions school division policy

A school division in southeastern Manitoba is facing a human rights complaint because it forbids teachers from discussing sexual orientation in elementary and middle-school classrooms.

Michelle McHale and Karen Phillips allege one of their children was bullied at a school in the Hanover School Division because the women are a same-sex couple. The couple’s complaint filed with the Manitoba Human Rights Commission alleges that when McHale complained to the principal, she was told a division policy forbids any discussion of same-sex relationships until students reach high school.

Refusing to acknowledge gender diversity and promote tolerance “creates this culture of exclusion and stigmatization that can really lead to an unsafe environment for students,” the women’s lawyer, Allison Fenske, said Monday.

The school division’s board of trustees said it had yet to receive a copy of the couple’s complaint.