Education Action: Toronto

We are for:

• The clear articulation of school boards’ commitments to equity on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

• The elimination of homophobic and heterosexist biases and barriers in all school board policies, guidelines, day-to-day operations, protocol and practices.

• The engagement of the many diverse sectors within the LGBT communities in consultation and partnership activities with school boards.

• The allocation of resources to provide alternative education and safe spaces for LGBT students who are having difficulty functioning in the mainstream system.

• Programs for all school board trustees, administrators, staff and student leaders to develop the knowledge, skills, attitudes and practices that will provide equitable schools for LGBT students and staff.

• The incorporation of expectations for such knowledge, skills, attitudes and practices into performance-appraisal processes for teachers, support staff and administrators.

• School curricula that are inclusive of the contributions and histories of the diverse LGBT communities.

• The evaluation of all curriculum materials for homophobic and heterosexist biases and the modification of such materials to eliminate such biases.

• The evaluation of student assessment and placement processes for homophobic and heterosexist biases and the modification of such processes to eliminate such biases.

• The provision of guidance and counseling services that are culturally sensitive, supportive and free of bias on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

• The maintenance of confidentiality with respect to matters of sexual orientation and gender identity for students and staff.

• The identification and elimination of systemic barriers and biases in employment and promotion.

• The establishment of transparent and accessible complaint procedures to deal with homophobic and heterosexist harassment and poisoned environments

• The training of all employees to deal effectively and confidently with homophobic and heterosexist harassment.

We are against:

• School curricula that promotes the stereotyping of LGBT people.

• School curricula or classroom practices that implicitly or explicitly exclude or ignore LGBT learners, learners from LGBT identified families, or any individuals from broader LGBT communities.

• The failure of administrators and staff to take homophobic and heterosexist harassment seriously.

• The failure of administrators and staff to create an environment where students and staff can choose to come out safely.