{"id":31130,"date":"2023-05-26T16:02:16","date_gmt":"2023-05-26T19:02:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.chmafm.com\/welcome\/?p=31130"},"modified":"2023-05-26T16:02:21","modified_gmt":"2023-05-26T19:02:21","slug":"review-of-gender-diversity-and-inclusion-policy-in-schools-prompts-backlash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.chmafm.com\/welcome\/review-of-gender-diversity-and-inclusion-policy-in-schools-prompts-backlash\/","title":{"rendered":"Review of gender diversity and inclusion policy in schools prompts backlash"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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A Rally for Policy 713 and Pride in Education took place in Fredericton on Saturday, May 13, 2023. Gail Costello, co-chair of Pride in Education (upper left), is shown speaking to the crowd. Screenshot: nbmediacoop.org
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News that the Higgs government is reviewing its policy on sexual orientation and gender identity in schools has generated controversy in New Brunswick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Policy 713, which came into effect in 2020, is meant to set \u201cminimum requirements\u201d to create safe environments for LGBTQ+ students in schools. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Department of Education has said the review will look, in part, at whether schools should inform parents if their children under 16 want to use a different name or pronoun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Premier Higgs has said schools should have the obligation to pass that information to parents. Critics have warned that could put the safety of queer and trans children at risk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At least one Sackville resident travelled to Fredericton for a demonstration against the review on Saturday, May 13. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Using an individual’s correct pronouns, and chosen name \u2014 that has a real, measurable impact on your mental health,” said Patricia Kelly Spurles, a professor at Mount Allison University.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

She’s concerned about the review not only as an educator, but also as the parent of a child who came out as trans a few years ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the Legislative Assembly, Higgs defended his approach to the issue during Question Period recently, suggesting it’s a matter of the rights of parents, and that students can have private conversations with school councillors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“If there are issues at home, Mr. Speaker, there’s a mechanism in place that ensures that that child has an ability to have the parents and the situation evaluated,” he said. “That’s how our system works.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Listen to the report from CHMA:\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n