Schreiner: Kenney’s stance on GSAs troubling

That is why I was very troubled this week to hear that Jason Kenney and the UCP plan to bring back out of date education legislation that would rollback protections for kids in gay-straight alliances (GSAs). With this announcement, Mr. Kenney is re-opening a debate on GSAs that we settled years ago. I am frustrated by this because the only people who will get hurt in this debate are our students.

GSAs help ensure that our schools are safe and caring spaces for kids to learn, and the protections we introduced make it illegal to disclose the identity of any student who joins one without their consent. And let’s be honest—these protections are in place for a reason. They are in place to ensure that every student has the right to start or join a gay-straight alliance in their school without the fear of being outed. We heard directly from LGBTQ students that this is what they needed to feel safe.

Turning the clock back on GSAs is Jason Kenney’s plan. This policy does not respect that students should be able to gather where they feel safe and accepted without fear of being outed.

What the UCP is advocating for is not reflective of the Alberta that I know, and it’s not reflective of the Red Deer that I know.

I call on all candidates running for office here in Red Deer to take a stand on this issue and affirm that they will fight to make sure that all Albertans feel like they belong—no matter who they love.

Kim Schreiner

by rdnewsNOW staff

Schreiner: Kenney’s stance on GSAs troubling

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