HomeMy WebLinkAboutB.C. school trustee criticizes gender policy, links it to child abuse - Metro Vancouver - 10/24/2017 - Metro Vancouver - 10/24/201710/25/2017
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B.C. school trustee criticizes gender policy, links it to child abuse
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Chilliwack School District trustee Barry Neufeld says a resource aimed at creating inclusive
schools by supporting LGBTQ students is 'nothing short of child abuse.'
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By: Staff The Canadian Press, Illu.ubllished on IFue Oct 24 2017
CHILLIWACK, B.C. — A British Columbia school trustee says an educational resource aimed at
creating inclusive public schools by supporting LGBTQ students has become a "weapon of
propaganda" and is "nothing short of child abuse."
Chilliwack School District trustee Barry Neufeld made the comments in a recent Facebook post
about provincial education policies on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer issues.
"The Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity program instructs children that gender is not
biologically determined, but is a social construct," he wrote.
"At the risk of being labelled a bigoted homophobe, I have to say that I support traditional family
values and I agree with the College of Pediatricians that allowing little children (to) choose to
change gender is nothing short of child abuse."
The American College of Pediatricians is a Florida -based organization that promotes
heterosexual marriage, opposes abortion and is not associated with the American Academy of
Pediatrics.
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10/25/2017 B.C. school trustee criticizes gender policy, links it to child abuse
Neufeld wrote the sexual orientation and gender identity program was "instigated" by the
former B.C. Liberal government to combat bullying but has become an initiative that infuses
every subject from Kindergarten to Grade 12.
The elected trustee, who has served for two decades, said he believes the program encourages
children to question their biological gender and consider gender transition.
"Throwing that out there for Grade 4 children to consider, to me, that is not wise and it infringes
on the rights of parents to make these decisions," Neufeld said in an interview on Tuesday.
He said the program would destroy the innocence of children.
The website for the initiative says it was created by educators and leaders from across Western
Canada and "equips educators of all backgrounds and experiences with tools and resources for
supporting marginalized LGBTQ students."
The program already has provincewide participation in British Columbia and the website said a
new partnership was recently reached with Alberta and national expansion is the next goal.
Neufeld said parts of the initiative are good and should be implemented but he wondered why it
couldn't be included in an after school program so interested students could join if they wished.
He also said it could create a new class of bullied youngster.
"These kids are going to be targeted. They are going to be the targets of bullies when they don't
immediately embrace this new philosophy that the provincial government is teaching."
Education Minister Rob Fleming said it's important to have the initiative in every school district
and he said he hoped Neufeld would familiarize himself with its concept of respect for diversity.
"It's part of our charter rights that every Canadian has, no matter what their age, and it's
something that the school system needs to teach at the earliest age so that students come out of
high school understanding what it is to be Canadian, which is respecting each other's differences
and diversity," Fleming said Monday in Victoria.
Chilliwack School Board chairman Paul McManus said Tuesday that Neufeld's comments are his
own opinions and don't reflect the direction of the board.
"We, as a board, have to determine next steps on how we deal with it, because it's a
conversation we have to have," McManus said, adding the discussion would likely take place in
the next day or so.
Neufeld said he stands by his remarks and speaks for a silent majority of parents. Neufeld said
he doubts he'll seek re-election next year because he feels he doesn't belong in an organization
that promotes something he opposes.
"If this is what Canadian values are all about, I just don't fit into it, anymore," he said.
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10/25/2017
B.C. school trustee criticizes gender policy, links it to child abuse
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