EDMONTON – Dozens of people rallied on the steps of the Alberta Legislature on Thursday, pushing for legislation allowing Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs) in all Alberta schools.
“People are disappointed that the Progressive Conservatives and the Wildrose party voted against establishing Gay-Straight Alliances in our schools,” said Liberal MLA Kent Hehr, whose private member’s bill on the issue was defeated 31 to 19 on April 8.
The bill would have made it mandatory for all Alberta schools to allow for the creation of GSAs.
View which MLAs voted for and against the motion here.
Students, their supporters, and advocates were among the roughly 40 people who attended the rally.
“The unfortunate side of when we say no to these types of things is it’s almost as if we’re giving permission to some of the fringe parts of society that want to discriminate and further persecute these marginalized groups,” said Everett Tetz, a counselor in a public school in Red Deer.
“Ultimately, I hope it brings the change that we want to see in the province,” Tetz added.
“If nothing else, I want it to bring awareness. I think it’s just such an amazing opportunity for all the educators in Alberta to look at their own practice and say ‘where do we stand on this issue and how can we move it forward?’”
There are currently 40 GSAs in Alberta, all of which are in public schools.
According to MyGSA.ca, Canada’s website for Gay-Straight Alliances in schools, a GSA is described as “an official student club with lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, two-spirited, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) and heterosexual student membership and one or two teachers who serve as faculty advisors.”
Jeff Johnson, Alberta’s Education Minister, voted against the GSA bill, saying legislation wasn’t the way to go.
“I do believe that the member’s approach to this issue in the motion in question is not the most appropriate way to go about combating bullying,” said Johnson on April 8.
“Singling out a specific group of students in legislation, potentially at the expense of other students being forgotten, is troublesome.”
“There are, like I said, many other highly effective groups like GSAs that promote acceptance, build bridges, and help fight bullying. But we can’t possibly legislate for each and every one of these groups, Mr. Speaker; so instead we endeavour to create schools and learning environments that are accepting of all students and empowering for all students regardless of what their differences are,” said Johnston.
You can read his message to school boards explaining his decision on Motion 503 here.
During Thursday’s rally, several students shared their personal experiences with – and without – GSAs.
“If the students want it, they should be able to have it,” said Xander Hartman, president of the Queer-Straight Alliance at Ross Sheppard School.
“It’s not unreasonable to ask for.”
“I tried to start a Gay-Straight Alliance in a small town in a Catholic school, which didn’t go well, obviously. The principal immediately denied it. That’s something that shouldn’t be allowed.”
Dr. Kristopher Wells, director of the University of Alberta’s Institute for Sexual Minority Studies and Services, agrees.
“We have no greater job than to create educational environments where all young people can thrive.”
“The GSA rally is to continue to educate our politicians and the public,” said Wells.
“Today, for the first time, we’ll actually have youth front-and-centre speaking about their experiences and the impact that GSAs have had on their lives.”
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