Province providing funding to support gender and sexually diverse youth

REGINA – The province of Saskatchewan is providing funds to fYrefly Saskatchewan to support gender and sexually diverse youth.

The $25,000 in funding will help the organization provide year-round gender and sexual diversity education plus support for urban and rural communities in the province.

“Our goal is to ensure schools and communities are safe, welcoming and inclusive for our students,” Education Minister Don Morgan said.

“This investment also supports our government’s commitment to working with community organizations to help respond to the recommendations in Saskatchewan’s Plan to Address Bullying and Cyberbullying.”

This new partnership will allow fYrefly Saskatchewan to work with school divisions to provide support for students who may need it.

“fYrefly in schools is a welcomed educational initiative in Saskatchewan,” Camp fYrefly Saskatchewan Co-Chair Reverend Carla Blakley said.

“The Y in fYrefly is capitalized because youth are important. fYrefly in schools aims to reduce discrimination and bullying, especially against sexually and gender minority youth, so that a safe, caring school environment can be provided for all Saskatchewan youth.”

fYrefly Saskatchewan has been offering a four-day camp for students who are gender and sexually diverse since 2009.