Alberta’s education minister says he will be introduce legislation to make it illegal to out students who join gay-straight alliances.
READ MORE: Alberta education minister’s open letter supports LGBTQ students: ‘I’m with you 100%’
David Eggen says the province has been working for years on gay-straight alliances in schools and he says he won’t let that process be undermined.
Eggen says a bill he will introduce this fall will also mandate all schools getting public money establish a code of conduct to prevent discrimination and adopt a policy that protects LGBTQ students.
Gay-straight alliances are peer support groups set up by students to provide mutual support and prevent bullying of LGBTQ students.
READ MORE: Jason Kenney slammed for comments about gay-straight alliances
Former federal cabinet minister and leadership candidate Jason Kenney says in some cases it’s best to tell parents their kids have joined a gay-straight alliance and that school officials are in
the best position to make the decision.
Advocates for gay-straight alliances say outing kids before they are ready puts them at risk of family ostracism or worse.
READ MORE: Wildrose Leader Brian Jean disagrees with PC Leader Jason Kenney on school clubs for gay students
Leadership rival Brian Jean has said gay-straight alliances should be left as a peer group for students.
READ MORE: Edmonton-area schools ordered to allow gay-straight alliances for LGBTQ students
Under a law passed by the Progressive Conservatives in 2015, all schools must set up a gay-straight alliance if students ask for one.
Click here to read Bill 10: An Act to Amend the Alberta Bill of Rights to Protect our Children
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