News and Events => Education news => Topic started by: stephanie_craxford on September 02, 2006, 03:27:23 PM Return to Full Version

Title: Board survey probes students' sexuality
Post by: stephanie_craxford on September 02, 2006, 03:27:23 PM
The Toronto District School Board will ask students as young as 14 whether they are straight or gay — or "lesbian, transgendered, bisexual, queer or two-spirited (an aboriginal term)" — as part of a sweeping new census it hopes will help schools better serve all students....

(The article) (http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&call_pageid=971358637177&c=Article&cid=1157147419664)

Steph
Title: Re: Board survey probes students' sexuality
Post by: Sheila on September 02, 2006, 06:37:33 PM
Steph, I think it is a great idea that the school is trying to be aware of how some think. I really don't think this is the way though. Like the article said that they may and will lie on the form. I don't think it will be a true survey. It is also none of the school business whether or not the student is Gay or not. They should be protected from bullies no matter what they are getting picked on for. If a student opens up then there should be someone there with an open mind to listen to this child. This should be under strict confidentiality, unless the student wants to be out. I think that all teachers, administrators and councilors should be taught what to do for children who are Gay or Transgendered. I also didn't see anything on Gender Identity either. I guess we kind of got left out again.
Sheila
Title: Re: Board survey probes students' sexuality
Post by: stephanie_craxford on September 02, 2006, 06:42:15 PM
Very true Sheila.  At least it's a step in the right direction though.

Steph
Title: Re: Board survey probes students' sexuality
Post by: Dennis on September 05, 2006, 06:02:44 PM
QuoteI also didn't see anything on Gender Identity either. I guess we kind of got left out again.

Both the terms two-spirited and transgendered in the questionnaire would address gender identity, perhaps not with as full a spectrum as exists, but it is there.

Dennis