28°c A few clouds
15°c Cloudy periods
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
GSA told not to advertise: student
School board accused of discrimination
STEINBACH -- A 16-year-old student says he was given permission to set up a gay-straight alliance group at his school in Steinbach, but was then told he couldn't advertise the existence of the group to classmates.
Evan Wiens is calling that discrimination, saying other student groups are allowed to put up posters at Steinbach Regional Secondary School -- just not his.
He hopes the NDP government will back him up, and on Thursday, Education Minister Nancy Allan said putting up posters advertising the group would be allowed if new legislation is passed during the spring sitting of the legislature.
Bill 18 has a clause stating schools should promote awareness, understanding and respect for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
Officials with the Hanover School Division refused to comment on the matter.
"I'm not answering that question at this time," superintendent Randy Dueck said Thursday.
Wiens and his friends said they were told student groups aren't allowed to put up posters, but they said that rule is not enforced for other groups.
"There's posters on the improv team and like worship ones for morning devotional and all the religious groups," said Shanice Powell.
Wiens said he won't give up until his rights are respected.
On Wednesday, Randy Hildebrand, chairman of the Hanover board, promised its schools would accommodate and support any student who wants to form a gay-straight alliance.
Hanover trustees had the discussion about GSAs a year ago, Hildebrand said.
That's when a student came forward wishing to form a GSA in one of the high schools, though he wouldn't say if it was in Steinbach, Grunthal, Landmark or Niverville.
"We said we would accommodate it," Hildebrand said. "They did meet a couple of times."
Hildebrand said the GSA was not met with a negative reaction, but has not been active recently: "It was more that the individual was not willing to take a leadership role."
Hanover will provide space in school, and there are teachers willing to volunteer as supervisors, for any GSA request from students, he said.
As with any student group meeting in schools, a GSA would have to "promote a positive learning environment," said Hildebrand.
A protest meeting against Bill 18 drew 1,200 people in Steinbach on the weekend.
Hildebrand acknowledged there are mixed feelings about Bill 18 in southeastern Manitoba.
The region, sometimes referred to as the province's Bible Belt, has a number of towns with strong faith-based traditions.
-- The Canadian Press, with staff files
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition March 1, 2013 A9
More Local
- Back to Top
- Return to Local
Poll
Most Popular Local
- Community's children apprehended by province
- Glover quits quarrel over election costs
- Mountie hospitalized, dog euthanized after crash near Saskatoon
- Basic arithmetic back in class
- Child in critical condition after West End crash
- MP Glover files new version of disputed 2011 election expenses
- Court told driver hysterical after vehicle fatally hit highway worker
- Métis ready to ring bell again
- Kids of St. Ignatius make Sweet gesture to beloved crossing guard
- Ex's Mach 3 an adrenaline accelerator
- Safeway stores likely to close
- Squirrel crawls out of Winnipegger's toilet
- Poolside feeding prompts eviction
- Court told driver hysterical after vehicle fatally hit highway worker
- Basic arithmetic back in class
- Stoppage of play off the field
- Child in critical condition after West End crash
- Kenyan wins Manitoba Marathon
- Traffic heavy as Bomber fans flock to U of M
- St. Norbert's hopping
- Father blasts 'horrific' movie
- Safeway stores likely to close
- Man dies after being pulled from vehicle submerged in Winnipeg retention pond
- Flood money paid for CEO's romantic trip
- Car in deadly crash stolen?
- UPDATE: Now with FAQ: Keeping the e-party going without the party-crashers
- Squirrel crawls out of Winnipegger's toilet
- Daycare provider charged with abandonment
- Poolside feeding prompts eviction
- Two people killed in crash north of Winnipeg
- Basic arithmetic back in class
- Province blows off wind megawatt goal
- Community's children apprehended by province
- Métis ready to ring bell again
- Kids of St. Ignatius make Sweet gesture to beloved crossing guard
- Bible Belt's bogeyman still haunts town
- Province's new approach to teaching math long overdue: readers
- New crowd plan for Taylor Swift get-together
- Child in critical condition after West End crash
- Ex's Mach 3 an adrenaline accelerator
- Basic arithmetic back in class
- Squirrel crawls out of Winnipegger's toilet
- Safeway stores likely to close
- Province blows off wind megawatt goal
- $110-K worth of nickel plates stolen from Thompson mine
- Known as kind, outgoing men
- A day in the life of 13,380 Manitoba Marathon participants
- Doctors blamed for death
- Stoppage of play off the field
- Bomber fans wowed by new stadium
- Basic arithmetic back in class
- Squirrel crawls out of Winnipegger's toilet
- Developers to unveil plans for bold downtown tower
- Father blasts 'horrific' movie
- Teachers support adding sexual-orientation themes to all curricula
- The crime fighter's revolution
- Safeway stores likely to close
- Car in deadly crash stolen?
- City's first urban reserve born
- On board with the Snowbirds
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
Have Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscribers only. why?
Login SubscribeHave Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press Subscribers only. why?
SubscribeThe Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.