RE: Affirming the Right to Gender Identity & Expression in Canadian Schools
Homophobic, transphobic, and anti-2SLGBTQ+ policies have no place in our government or society. Full stop.
I wholly support the decision made by Egale Canada to bring legal action against Saskatchewan’s Minister of Education, as well as the statement from the Ontario Principal’s Council regarding gender expression in schools.
In recent months and weeks, elected officials across the country have taken a stance that students who are expressing their gender identity in the classroom should be reported to their parents, rather than protected from potential harm.
In an ideal world, every family would support their children unconditionally. Tragically, we do not live in this world. Students feel safe in their classrooms, they feel safe among their friends — but students who do not have supportive families face the risks of emotional distress, poor mental health, increased isolation, and bullying.
Every student deserves to feel like they belong, and creating a system that silences true expression only serves to harm our youth.
As a former Toronto District School Board Trustee I fought to create a more inclusive, safe, and tolerant environment for all students from all backgrounds, expressions, and identities.
I am extremely disturbed by what is happening in Saskatchewan and New Brunswick — and increasingly concerned about comments made by officials at the provincial and federal level here in Ontario.
Attacks on our children, our communities, and our way of life cannot be tolerated.
I will always stand with our 2SLGBTQ+ community in fighting hate and bigotry, in whatever form it may take.
Yours in service,
Chris Moise,
City Councillor
Ward 13 - Toronto Centre
