PHOTO BY ARIELLE GODBOUT Enlarge Image

Robyn Buhler (left) and Brianne Pearase said they’re concerned about a new policy on sexual diversity in the Louis Riel School Division.

Three southeast Winnipeg families say they’re concerned a proposed school division policy on sexual diversity will not present students with all sides of the issue.

That concern has led some of the parents to suggest the policy could be used to "promote homosexuality."

Andrew and Robyn Buhler, Brianne and Ken Pearase, and Darryl Nanka say they’re also questioning the process behind the new policy of the Louis Riel School Division.

The division’s board of trustees will have its third and final reading of the policy — titled Respect for Human Diversity: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity — later this year.

The policy states the division will "promote respect for human sexual diversity within its schools."

The parents stressed they expect their children to be taught respect and tolerance in school, and said the division should take action if students are being bullied.

But they said the division can do that through its existing policy on harassment and discrimination.

Andrew Buhler said he and his wife are concerned about the word "promote" in the policy, suggesting it could be used to "promote homosexuality."

"It’s the promotion issue I don’t want my sons exposed to," he said.

"Students who are struggling with this — is the default response of a teacher to encourage them to explore this lifestyle, which might be right for some, and not for others?" asked Robyn Buhler.
The Pearases agreed promotion is a concern for them.

Nanka said his major worry is that students have access to balanced information.

The policy states students who ask for help should be provided resources, and Nanka said he was concerned after asking a school administrator what resources would be available.

"They were all geared toward the promotion of the homosexual or gay lifestyle. My question is, would you also want to present the resources for those people who seek counselling to remove themselves from that lifestyle?" Nanka asked.

"True education would give both, and let the student decide," Robyn Buhler said.

The parents — who all have children at Ecole Howden — sent a letter to the school board in late September outlining their concerns.

The board responded to the parents with its own letter, chair Gary Gervais said.

He said the board believes a new policy is needed.

"A good example of that is the Jamie Hubley case in Ottawa, the 15-year-old who committed suicide," he said. "It’s quite obvious we need to do more to protect gay teens from bullying."

Gervais said he understands some parents have different beliefs about what determines sexual orientation, but stressed the policy is about protecting children.

"Things like, ‘You’re doing it to encourage children to become gay’ is quite obviously a misunderstanding of what we’re trying to do," he said.

Beyond their concerns with the policy itself, the southeast Winnipeg parents also expressed frustration over the process.

They said they wished the division had been more transparent and involved parents more with consultations.

Brianne Pearase added she looked into the First National Climate Survey on Homophobia in Canadian Schools, which the division used to form the policy.

"I found that survey was commissioned by a gay and lesbian activist group," she said. "It sounds like a very biased survey, in my opinion."

Gervais said the board followed its regular consultation process for the policy, with "ample opportunity" for parental input.

He added the board reviewed the homophobia survey — which he noted was authored by a prominent University of Winnipeg academic — and found no bias.

facebook.com/TheLanceWpg
Twitter: @LanceWPG

arielle.godbout@canstarnews.com