Ontario Poised to Pass Bill Mandating 'Gay-Straight Alliances' be Allowed in All Schools, Including

[WillParkinson]

Ontario Poised to Pass Bill Mandating 'Gay-Straight Alliances' be Allowed in All Schools, Including Catholic Ones

An amendment to an anti-bullying bill under consideration in Ontario, Canada would require all schools, including Catholic ones, to accept the name "gay-straight alliance" for anti-homophobia clubs, the Toronto Star reports:

BrotenThe change of heart on the minority Liberal government’s Accepting Schools Act — which had allowed school principals a veto on names for any student club — was announced Friday afternoon by Education Minister Laurel Broten (pictured).

<snip>

Conservatives and right-wing religious groups argue that the new rule would give LGBT students "special status" and The Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association urged the school system to call clubs aimed at stopping bullying "Respecting Differences" clubs, in an advisory paper that did not mention the word gay once, the Star adds.

But proponents argue that allowing a principal, for example, to refuse to allow an anti-homophobia club to be called a “gay-straight alliance” is in itself a form of oppression that is inappropriate under the spirit of the bill. Broten has said gay students have been more prone to bullying, which is why they get specific mention in the bill.

“If we can’t name it, we can’t address it and we must address it,” she said.

Read more: http://www.towleroad.com/2012/05/canada-poised-to-pass-bill-mandating-gay-straight-alliances-be-allowed-in-all-schools-including-cath.html#ixzz1w41sKpHH

[Swede Atlanta]

1. I love our Canadian neighbors........

They aren't afraid to call things for what they are and to hold all players in the public space, secular or religious, to the same standards.

Catholics complain about their religious liberty. Well let's see, how about the liberty of young boys and girls to be free from molestation and emotional intimidation? How about the Holy See that not only sat silently by during the Holocaust but, by some reports, colluded with Mussolini and Hitler. And after the war the Catholic church systematically aided former Nazi butchers not only escape justice in Europe but to establish long lives in South America.

When the Catholic church begins to take responsibility for the horrors of their former actions then I might listen to their whimpering today about religious liberty.

Go Canada!!!!

[William769]

2. Special status?

Bite me!