Sex-education protests and homophobia

Re School protests less about sex-ed than

homophobia, teacher feels, Oct. 2 Growing up gay in small-town Ontario in the late 1970s, I would have been ever so grateful for the current sex-ed curriculum. With no one to turn to for support or understanding, it was a rocky, hellish road to self-awareness that could’ve been made so much easier if the proper resources were in place.

I agree with teacher Susan Mabey’s observation that this is more about homophobia than teaching proper sexed. Many years ago when I moved to Toronto, the city was supposed to be a giant melting pot of acceptance and love. This was indeed so not the case.

During my 17 years living there, I was discriminated against, lost jobs because of my sexual orientation, was the victim of homophobic assaults, both physical and verbal, and the list goes on and on.

What I endured I would not wish on anyone, but I would hope that the youth of today would have the proper resources so that they would not have to endure the same sometimes perilous journey. Sandy McInnes, Milton Thanks Susan Mabey for saying out loud what many of were thinking. For the most part, Canadians are a polite people.

The truth is simple: We have one of the best free educational systems in the world and all children deserve to participate. A small group of ill-informed and intolerant parents are teaching their children to follow suit.

I truly hope that these people have the financial means to send their children to a private school of their choice since they refuse to belong to the mainstream system. Funny how freedom works. Karin McLean, Toronto

Kudos to the teacher at Thorncliffe Park school for calling this protest what it really is: homophobia. No one decides to be gay or straight because they are educated about sexual orientation.

One of those children marching with a sign protesting the new curriculum will one day face their own crisis of identity. When that time comes, will there be a caring and understanding parent who will listen without judgment? Julia Bowkun, Toronto