Re: SD63 building formal LGBT policy (News, Feb. 1)
It’s heartening to hear the Saanich school district is set to bring in strong, specific policies aimed at preventing homophobia and transphobia.
Saanich superintendent Keven Elder is absolutely right that homophobia and transphobia are still big problems in B.C. – with recent studies suggesting two-thirds of LGBT students feel unsafe at school, it is clear that more needs to be done to tackle homophobic and transphobic violence and discrimination.
That’s why New Democrats will continue to call on the Liberal government to put action behind their words and bring in provincewide policies aimed at eliminating homophobia and transphobia in our schools.
With the encouragement and support of Saanich South MLA Lana Popham, I’ve been working with youth across the province who want to see our government take action to ensure LGBT youth feel safe and accepted in our schools, no matter what community they are in.
We’re hoping Premier Christy Clark will listen to the words of youth who see the suffering caused by homophobia and transphobia in their schools every day. The truth is, if life is going to get better for LGBT students, we have to make it better.
I’m glad to see the Saanich school district tackling this serious and important issue.
Spencer Chandra Herbert
MLA, Vancouver-West End
Official Opposition critic for Tourism, Culture and the Arts