Halton board adopts new policy to silence critics
By Sheila Dabu Nonato, The Catholic Register
This revised article clarifies a Jan. 20 version TORONTO — Facing media scrutiny and lobbying from gay rights' groups, Halton Catholic school trustees have passed a new equity policy that, while not explicitly banning gay-straight alliance clubs, is based on Catholic teaching, says the Halton Catholic board.
The new policy adopts a distinctly Catholic approach to equity within schools that is used in many boards in Ontario and was drafted by a consortium representing several of the boards.
The Halton board voted 6-2 on Jan. 18 to scrap a two-month old equity policy, implemented by the previous board, that had banned gay-straight alliances, also known as GSAs. That decision sparked a campaign by gay activists who sought to overturn the ban.
Although the Halton board stopped short of explicitly banning GSAs, the Jan. 18 vote does not necessarily mean the board endorses the controversial clubs. The Catholic approach to equity adopted by the board provides for inclusive measures to deal with discrimination, bullying and harassment that are directed at all students, gay or otherwise.
Despite neither banning nor endorsing GSAs, the new policy is broadly in keeping with the recommendation of Ontario bishops that school boards adopt equity policies that reflect Catholic values, according to the Halton board. In a letter issued Jan. 14 the bishops supported the objective of creating a safe and welcoming environments that ensured all students were treated with dignity, but the letter said it was unfair to suggest GSAs were the only way to achieve that goal.
“When you read the letter, what the bishops are saying is that as Catholics, we have to include everybody. I don't think we're going against anything the bishops said,” LeMay told The Catholic Register.
“We need to create space and places for anybody who feels excluded or bullied, including youth who are bullied, not only because of sexual orientation.”
Halton trustee Jane Michael, who voted to uphold the ban, said in an e-mail to The Register that she is “very upset by the decision.”
Michael said she received more than 200 phone calls and emails on this issue, with a majority asking her to support the policy that banned GSAs.
“We certainly need to take steps to combat bullying and discrimination in our schools," she said in a statement. "Nevertheless, we must ensure that this support is guided by Catholic values and that it occurs within a Catholic environment . . . we must continue to 'walk the talk' for Catholic virtues. I cannot sell out to the media and public opinion, because I will continue to walk the talk.”
A year ago the Assembly of Ontario Bishops wrote a letter to Catholic school boards encouraging them to combat discrimination and bullying through implementation of equity policies that are in keeping with Catholic values. According to the bishops, "gay-straight alliances imply a self-identification with sexual orientation that is often premature among high school students. Because of this, the bishops feel that such an activity is not to be encouraged. Other types of dialogue groups that could achieve the same objectives should rather be encouraged.”
LeMay said the board has yet to decide what type of groups will be established to promote equity and inclusiveness at Halton's Catholic schools. They may be in the form of gay-straight alliances or another group which would share the same goals of GSAs, she said.
The board's next policy meeting will be on Feb. 8.
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