Former Red Deer teacher resents being cited in Diversity Week proposal

Gowans, a former principal at Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School, was a diversity champion, Bevans is responsible for starting Thurber’s annual Dye-versity Relay event, and Holland, a former school trustee, was an advocate for students with disabilities because of her son Jeremy who presented with Down Syndrome.

Red Deer Public Schools confirmed to rdnewsNOW on Friday that Manning did not reach out to Gowans, Bevans or the Holland family prior to tabling her motion.

Manning acknowledged Thursday in a phone interview she did not reach out to Dr. Lund.

“It’s historical information which I recall because my oldest daughter was a student at Lindsay Thurber as part of his time there,” Manning said. “It’s well-known and well-documented.”

Lund taught English at Thurber from 1986-2002, and in the 1999-2000 school year, with the help of about 30 students, started Alberta’s first Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA). Prior, he had started Students and Teachers Opposing Prejudice (STOP), which advocated on a vast range of diversity-related issues, partly in response to the historic James Keegstra trial and the existence of an Aryan Nations compound in Caroline.

Lund was asked how he felt after reading the motion and seeing his name and past work cited by Manning.

“I was profoundly disappointed. One, for denying a reasonable motion, and two, that they were opting to water down their commitment to LGBTQ+ students and staff,” said Lund, a professor at the University of Calgary’s Werklund School of Education since 2002.

“But what really was appalling to me was that a trustee would invoke my name and the good work our students did in the STOP program to deny this very reasonable request for recognition by a group of students.”

Lund says GSAs and events like Pride Week are proven to create healthier learning environments because every student feels safe.

“I strongly resent the idea that somebody would invoke my name to deny a motion that would support LGBTQ+ students, specifically with a Pride Week which many school divisions do,” he says.

“It seems like a huge step backwards and a misrepresentation of the courageous work that our students did in forming and maintaining the GSA.”

Lund says when STOP started Thurber’s GSA, which still exists, there was plenty of backlash from some staff and community members, but it also received support from many.

He notes the GSA began about four years before same-sex marriage was legal in Canada.

“That was a really important move and I’m so proud of those courageous students. It’s not like we solved the problem of homophobia, but I think it was a really important step,” he says.

“So why would a district have a Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) policy and say they’re supporting all kids, while denying a really important moment for recognition of one group of students we know continues to face discrimination in our schools?”

Lund adds he isn’t looking for an apology, but believes the board of trustees should reconsider its position on Pride Week.

Meantime, a petition has been started asking the Red Deer Public Schools board of trustees to reverse its decision.

Central Alberta Pride Society anticipates releasing a statement on Monday.

by Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

Former Red Deer teacher resents being cited in Diversity Week proposal

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