Catholic school division sorry for telling kids to avoid festival’s ‘rainbow tent’

SASKATOON — A Catholic school division in Saskatchewan has apologized for causing hurt after its superintendent sent an email to elementary school principals telling them to keep students away from the rainbow tent at a children’s festival.

Francois Rivard, director of education for Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools, said the internal email was never intended to promote judgement, hate or exclusion.

Superintendent Tom Hickey wrote in an email that surfaced on social media that students shouldn’t go to the rainbow tent at the Nutrien Children’s Festival of Saskatchewan next month.

The rainbow tent is described as having drag queen story time and inclusive dress-up performances, with the goal of making sure every child feels heard, loved and accepted.

Following the superintendent’s email, OUTSaskatoon, an LGBTQ advocacy group, said it is deeply regrettable to limit children’s experiences.

“OUTSaskatoon recognizes the dilemma that teachers, families and others work through when discussing issues related to identity,” the organization said in a statement.

“Those conversations are complex and yet critically important for the well-being of children and youth.”

The school division said development of the human person and interpersonal relationships are topics that must involve families.

Rivard said people who send their children to Catholic schools have a reasonable expectation that their education is consistent with Catholic teachings and is age appropriate. Rivard added the school division welcomes members of the LGBTQ community.