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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Freedom to join the commenters' alliance

By: Staff Writer

Posted: 03/3/2013 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

The Hanover School Division has agreed to comply with the province's anti-bullying legislation despite the concerns expressed at a protest meeting in Steinbach that drew 1,200 people. Here's what our readers had to say.

One student... I want our gov't to start catering to the majority not the minority.

-- Say my name

Yeah, who cares if someone is persecuted or bullied or treated poorly if they're in the minority. Their voice is meaningless because common sense and human kindness mean nothing compared to the majority not being inconvenienced.

No clubs should be allowed in schools unless more than 50% of the student body want to be a part of them!

-- metal2000

I don't understand how this is an "equal opportunity" bill, when the whole purpose of it is to single out a specific group.

A better name for "equal opportunity" initiatives like this should be called an "preferential opportunity" bill. Because that's what they do. They give an advantage to the minorities.

Equal opportunity is supposed to mean exactly that; equal. Not preferential. Rules and laws exist already to protect from all acts of bullying regardless if the victims are from a minority or the majority.

Preferential treatment is the opposite of equality, yet for some reason people repeatedly confuse the two.

-- bodaggin

@bodaggin

The whole point of the gay-straight alliance provision is to prevent one group being singled out. Schools are obliged by the law to allow anti-bullying groups to be set up by students. GSAs are mentioned because they are an anti bullying group that schools often selectively try to prevent. Clearly from the comments here there is a small but aggressive group who want to make sure that gays are excluded from seeking the same type of support that other students will be entitled to.

-- Knowledgefirst

A human is a human, and every person deserves to be treated with respect and dignity. Would these protesters rise up against students who wanted to form an alliance group of white kids with students of colour that was focused on creating a positive, safe environment for all? Would they protest if some students wanted to form a group to increase understanding and peace between Christians and Jews? No one is being forced to join any GSA that's set up in a school, so settle down people! Read your Bible, go to church as is your freedom to do, and show some love and respect to all your fellow humans. Especially your community's young people. Think about the example of prejudice and judgement you're displaying.

-- Bam Pow

My question to anybody opposed to this gay-straight alliance thing. Please tell us all how a person being gay PERSONALLY affects your life. I can answer for you, it doesn't!

I find religion much more offensive than homosexuality, but you know what? I don't practice religion so it doesn't affect me and I barely give it any thought. Maybe all the homophobes should try the same thing.

-- Topher1977

@topher: 'I don't practice religion so it doesn't affect me and I barely give it any thought.' WRONG! I don't practice religion either, but it DOES affect us.

The religious right is a well-organized political lobby -- witness the 1,200 people at the meeting the other night. This lobby wants to create a Christian theocracy and amend our laws to suit their own beliefs. All they need is for people like you to let them do it.

We need people like you to stand up for the separation of church and state.

-- Dorothy

The government and the whole world is going crazy. I really hope that meteorite hits Earth and destroys all this sickness. Everyone is fighting for these stupid rights while children, women and men are been slaughtered in Syria. And here in Canada we are so worried whether Jimmy can be with Johnny. How ridiculous is the NDP Selinger government? What a bunch of sinners.

-- Darlene7

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition March 3, 2013 A10

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