“Schools should not wait for a trans or gender variant student to come forward to address the issue. By the time a student makes their identity known it is likely that they have been struggling on their own for some time.” – Public Health Agency of Canada

 

Following our 2011 survey on homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia in Canadian schools, Egale developed a Safer and Inclusive Schools Program in partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Education to promote an understanding of the impacts that hate, bias and feeling unsafe have on student success and performance. Since then the program has expanded nationally including Provincial and Territorial Ministries and Departments of Education in Manitoba, Ontario, Newfoundland & Labrador, New Brunswick and the Yukon.

Now, after six successful years of educating school staff in Ontario, Egale will be working in Alberta!

In the fall of 2017, the Alberta government passed Bill 24: An Act to Support Gay-Straight Alliances, which amended the School Act to strengthen supports for students wishing to create or join GSAs their schools. Amendments come into effect April 1st, 2018, and include:

  • Requiring all publically funding schools to create publicly available code of conduct policies, with a focus on “welcoming, caring, respectful, and safe learning environments”
  • Preventing school officials from disclosing student participation in GSAs (except for in instances where the student is under direct threat or harm)
  • Protecting GSA from political interference
  • Ensuring that principals support students in establishing a GSA in a timely manner, including securing a staff representative

 

Details about the workshop

The cost of this workshop will be $295 per participant.

Workshops provide participants with:

  • A deeper understanding of how homophobia, biphobia and transphobia contribute to students’ safety, and the impacts of safety on performance
  • Concrete strategies for creating safer schools for all students and staff by addressing homophobia, biphobia and transphobia with confidence;
  • Free comprehensive resources to support inclusive classroom teaching and school-wide strategies;
  • Opportunities to network and share resources with other schools and teachers.
  • These workshops are specifically designed for individuals who have had less exposure to LGBTQ issues
  • Plus, include a link to the Safer Schools 101 Workshop Overview (Frank has a copy)

Additional details:

  • Breakfast, lunch and workshop materials will be provided for all participants
  • Schedule – 8:30am – 3:30pm
  • Date: To be determined
  • Location: Calgary or Edmonton
  • For up to 30 participants maximum

37% of trans students, 21% of sexual minority students, and 10% of non-LGBTQ students reported being physically harassed or assaulted because of their gender expression. – Every Class in Every School Report 2011 (https://egale.ca/every-class/ )

  • ‘Everyone should have the opportunity to attend.’ – Ontario Principal, Near North District School Board
  • ‘I feel more comfortable about how to approach situations with a stronger understanding of terminology and resources available.’ – Ontario Educator, Halton District School Board