Are 'Respecting Differences' clubs good enough?
Ontario, Canada has been struggling for some time with the issue of Gay-Straight Alliance clubs in its Catholic School Board. The Board is publicly funded, and the provincial government has stated that all schools must provide for “equity and inclusive education" to battle bullying and homophobia.
With this in mind, a Catholic think tank had been looking at ways to comply to the government's demand while not offending the Vatican. And providing clubs that were pro-gay didn't sit well with many people involved in the system.
This week a decision was made, with the think tank suggesting anti-bullying groups be called “Respecting Differences" clubs.” However, the committee also insisted on a few requirements for such a club, including the presence of a staff advisor committed to the Catholic faith, and that no “activism, protest or advocacy of anything that is not in accord with the Catholic faith foundation of the school” be permitted.
“This is about helping kids feel safe against bullying, not as advocacy for a lifestyle,” said Nancy Kirby, president of the Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association. “We have nothing against homosexuals, but it’s the (homosexual) act that is in contradiction of the teachings of the church.” (Seriously, these people need a new line.)
“It highlights the difference, rather than the similarities, and it should be about more than just respect — it should be about accepting people as they are,” countered Grade 12 student student Leanne Iskander. She lobbied for a gay-straight alliance in her school but was denied.
Kirby insisted that Catholic schools were committed to supporting students bullied because of their sexual orientation. However, the "Respecting Differences" clubs would stress issues of sexuality within the context of Catholic morality.
In other words: we love you, God loves you, but what you're thinking about doing makes us sick. Yeah, that should make school life so much better for gay youth.
Gay-straight alliances become Respecting Differences clubs [The Toronto Star]
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