GSA’s – Gender Neutral Bathrooms – LGBTQ+

To some people and politicians these topics are off limits. But not for me. Over the years as not only a Trustee , but as a human being, I have seen the need to give more support to those in the LGBTQ  community.
“Researchers have found that attempted suicide rates and suicidal ideation among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQQ) youth is comparatively higher than among the general population. LGBT teens and young adults have one of the highest rates of suicide attempts
Adolescent youth who have been rejected by their families for being LGB are over 8 times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers (Ryan, Huebner, Diaz, & Sanchez, 2009)
Over half of GLB students (47% of GB males and 73% of LB females) have thought about suicide (Eisenberg & Resnick, 2006)” {1}  https://egale.ca/backgrounder-lgbtq-youth-suicide/

If those stats are not enough for you to take more of an interest in supporting our LGBTQ community I don’t know what will.
On Sept 01,2017 the province announced new housing and shelter guidelines for LGBTQ youth.
“Many LGBTQ2S youth face additional challenges compared to those who do not share the same gender identity and orientation,” said Irfan Sabir, minister of community and social services , adding about one-third of homeless youth in Canada identify as LGBTQ.
The provincial government on Friday revealed new housing and shelter guidelines intended to help homeless and at-risk LGBTQ youth.
The guidelines will also help people understand LGBTQ terminology and know where to find additional resources.
For Damien McAndrews, 18, who went through the shelter as a transgender youth, Friday’s announcement is important and “long overdue.”
McAndrews, originally from Fort Saskatchewan, had come out to his parents as transgender, which they did not accept. At the same time, he was also experiencing mental health issues.
“Between my home life being unaccepted and experiencing somewhat severe mental health issues, I just couldn’t take living at home anymore, and when I turned 16, I took off for Edmonton,” said McAndrews. {2} http://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/province-announces-new-housing-and-shelter-guidelines-for-lgbtq-youth

I celebrate and embrace our diverse students in each and every one of our public schools.
In 2000 LTCHS was the site for first GSA in a High School in Alberta . Students do not have to disclose whether they are gay or straight to belong to the group. Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School’s award-winning STOP (Students and Teachers Opposing Prejudice) program formed a Gay/Straight Alliance (GSA) to deal specifically with the discrimination faced by students on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.


Our schools need to be a safe place for all students and staff.
The topic of gender neutral bathrooms brought up some very interesting debate and some fears in the community. Fears such as “My child will get raped or harmed if both genders are in using the bathroom”, “ My child will be confused if she see’s a man go into the girl’s bathroom”, ”This will just encourage kids to be a girl one day and a boy the next”, and the negative beliefs and misconceptions around the Trans community.
During the past 5 years I have become more involved with the LGBTQ community as an ally through my connections from friends and family. I am open with my support and it warms my heart to see the support and knowledge growing in our community.  One of the lovely people I have met is Chevi Rabbitt - Currie.  Chevi identifies as Third gender with female attributes. Chevi is also an entrepreneur, Social Media Blogger, Humanitarian , Founder-President at Maskwacis Two Spirit Society,Assistant at Legislative Assembly of Alberta,Public Relations Officer at Pyramid Housing Corp,Member of Committee at Alberta Sexual Minorities Liaison Committee,Director/Founder at Hate to HopeFashion Makeup Artist & Politically savvy gal. Just to name a few things . I asked Chevi to share with me a story on why gender neutral bathrooms are important . It turned out to be more of a conversation because there was more than one story Chevi had about the many attacks they have received because of their looks and using the male or female washrooms.  These attacks have happened in schools, University's , public washrooms and public places for many years. These led to Chevi having panic attacks , leaving University , and many other issues around shame and guilt.  Chevi is not the only one with these kind of stories. So why wouldn’t we want to put a safe place in our schools for kids to pee? And that’s what the main issue is. People just want to pee in a safe place.

Please take a few minutes and watch this powerful short film that goes over a few daily struggles that trans people go through.
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/trans-people-reveal-their-daily-struggles-in-powerful-short-film_uk_589dab21e4b094a129ea1d5e

To quote the mayor of Calgary Naheed Nenshi “ The world today is a place of increasing anger and bitterness, a place where voices of intolerance and hatred seem to be growing louder and louder. And too many politicians are flirting with that fear, with the small minded and the intolerant for short term political gain. Standing up to this means that every one of us has to stand up for every other one of us. Every one of us has to commit to the promise of this community: that it doesn’t matter what you look like or where you come from, that it doesn’t matter how you worship or whom you love. What matters is that you’re here. You’re in a place where you have the opportunity to live a life of dignity, to live a great Canadian life.”

Through support, education and communication together we can achieve acceptance and understanding. I will continue to advocate for dignity, respect and acceptance in our schools and our community. Regardless of how each of us identify , we are all still humans.