Ontario to mandate 'LGBT support groups' in Catholic schools
ONTARIO NEWS / Details of McGuinty government plan yet to be released
Andrea Houston / National / Saturday, July 02, 2011
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Toronto Centre MPP Glen Murray says the Ontario government will move to ensure that "gay, lesbian and trans support groups" are possible in every Ontario school -- public and Catholic -- in September. 
 
Murray says Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty made the announcement at the Pride Toronto international marshals’ reception on Friday. The move may draw the ire of Catholic school officials, but, Murray says, "it's the right decision." From now on, says Murray, schools will take their cues from students, not administration and principals, for decisions on the creation of school clubs focused on gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans issues.”
 
Catholic school officials have so far allowed the formation of general diversity/inclusion/support clubs but have insisted they have "Catholic names," such as Open Arms, the name given to the St Joe's group. And Ontario Catholic school administrators have announced that they are working to develop a "framework for anti-bullying clubs," while specifically not calling them gay-straight alliances (GSAs).
Catholic Students for GSAs out in full force for Toronto Pride 2011
(Andrea Houston)
 
Does McGuinty’s announcement mean, then, that there will be GSAs that are called GSAs and supported by Catholic school administrators next year?
 
"Premier McGuinty did not use the words GSAs,” Murray wrote in a text message to Xtra. “He said 'support groups for LGBT youth.' Starting in September, it will be students, not principals or school boards that will decide whether a school has an LGBT support group. I emphasize he also did not say 'generic support groups or diversity groups'; he said specifically 'an LGBT support group.' He did not, however, use the words GSA."
 
"This is a huge step forward," says Murray. "Rights are never easily won. It's always a battle. And this is a victory."

The matter could easily become a campaign issue in the lead-up to the Ontario general election, scheduled for Oct 6.
 
At the Toronto Pride Dyke March on July 2, honoured dyke, co-grand marshal and GSA activist Leanne Iskander cheered when she heard the news of McGuinty's announcement. Other members of the St Joe's GSA high-fived one another and hugged.

 
 
 
This is a developing story. Xtra will bring you more details as they become available.
 


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Reader Comments


 
How's that for an example of people power!
This is an amazing development in the fight for GSAs in Ontario Catholic schools. I hope MPP Glen Murray is right when he says "From now on, schools will take their cues from students, not administration and principals for decisions on the creation of school clubs focused on gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans issues.” Students are certainly the key to reducing religiously-inspired homophobia in Canadian Catholic schools. I hope Ontario Catholic school leaders will not find yet another way to sidestep this progressive provincial policy, citing "denominational rights." Freedom of religion is a fundamental right in Canada, but it does not mean the right to be exempt from anti-discrimination law and public policy. Thanks to everyone who continued to put the pressure on Ontario politicians so they would not overlook this blatant form of discrimination against a vulnerable sexual minority group. Great work!
Tonya Callaghan, Calgary Alberta
07/02/11 8:10 PM EST
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This is new...
An interview via text message? Really? Never seen that before.
JargonJohn, Everywhere ON
07/02/11 11:09 PM EST
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Ed's note
Hi Jargon: To clarify, Murray told Houston about McGuinty's announcement face-to-face at the Dyke March. Houston then followed up with Murray via text message to confirm his quotes about what McGuinty actually said.
Matt Mills, Toronto Ont
07/03/11 6:30 AM EST
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No Rights
Homosexuality is an objective disorder and a intrinsic moral evil. There is no right to homosexuality, the rights of homosexuals can legitimately limited for objectively disordered external conduct. Antigay discrimination is not unjust and may even be obligatory with regard to the protection of children to adoption or foster care, in employment of teachers or coaches, and in military recruitment. When homosexuals demand civil rights which they are in no way entitled, neither the Church nor society should be surprised when violent reactions occur.
Todd Pollard, Saint John NB
07/03/11 10:18 AM EST
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RE: No Rights
To Todd Pollard of New Brunswick, I feel the same way about the catholic church as you feel about homosexuality, people who spew hate and hide behind the umbrella of "religion" are cowards and unwilling to look at facts. My 2 cents is get your head out of your a**!
JC, Toronto ON
07/03/11 10:52 AM EST
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Canada has always been worthless
To state that homosexual activity is objectively disordered is not "spewing hate." It is stating truth. And JC in Toronto is apparently too dim to see the contradiction in his own post, decrying the "spewing of hate" in the same breath in which he calls someone a coward (anonymously) along with other choice high brow sentiments typical of "progressives." Leftism is for dullards. It will be ground into the dust of history, hopefully sooner rather than later.
Jason Liuzza, New Orleans, LA American
07/03/11 5:54 PM EST
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It's about time...
It's about time the government and people of that great province of Ontario have stood up the the Papists and their right-wing agenda. If Mickie Papist wants to get government money to pay for his Catholic indoctrinations centres called "schools", then let Mickie Papist obey Canada's human rights laws and respect the right of ALL schoolchildren to be free from bullying and harrassment. Catholics, like everyone else in our great land, have to obey the law and not discriminate against any identifiable group.
Kieran, Mount Pearl Newfoundland
07/03/11 6:01 PM EST
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To J. Liuzza and Todd Pollard
Todd: You are a redneck bigot who should come out of the woods and get a decent grade 8 education so you can understand democracy and law and order. Jason: You are an AmeriKKKan and have no understanding of Canadian politics or any business promoting your Republican/Tea-Bagger agenda here. You also need a grade 8 education!
Kieran, Mount Pearl Newfoundland
07/03/11 6:20 PM EST
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I'll believe it when I see it
Hmmm......Since these groups still are not called GSA, I'll have to see what occurs in September before giving my nod of approval. The defunding of Catholic schools would still ultimately work best.
Rae, Kitchener Ontario
07/03/11 10:36 PM EST
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So no GSAs then?
Given the clarification given by Mr. Murray, it doesn't sound to me like the provincial government will enact policies to lift the ban on GSAs. It sounds to me like they're planning to defer to the groups that the Catholic school boards are working on. If this is indeed the case, then it would be a most unfortunate development. In effect, entities that have displayed a constant stream of homophobia would be in charge of protecting this province's students from ... homophobia.
Julien McArdle, Ottawa ON
07/04/11 12:50 AM EST
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Thank you for reprinting our press release
Much thanks to Xtra for not quoting anyone other than my fav GAYPP, Glen Murray. He's so gay! Gay, gay, gay, gay, gay. I didn't really announce anything new but I'm glad you were agreeable to making it look like I did. Can I get your Xtra.ca login info so we can just start copy and pasting our press releases onto your site? Thanks for the assist, Xtra!
Dalton McGuinty, Toronto Ontario
07/04/11 11:31 AM EST
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re: No Rights
"Homosexuality is an objective disorder and a intrinsic moral evil." Where in The Bible did Jesus say that?
Tom, Ottawa Ontario
07/04/11 12:40 PM EST
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Rights are never easily wont it's always a battle
I suspect there may be bigger fish to fry for the Catholics and Right Conservatives. There may be a greater issue that Superiors are Undertaking. I wrote on this here once before not to worry about GSA's. I figured this would occur eventually as indicated. GAY FAMILIES, MALE EQUALITY, REDEFINING FAMILY, COMMONLAW=MARRIAGE, Parent & child VS. MOTHER and child. Sensitivies are gender equal. These are more pressing Catholic issues over GSA's which are a no brainer at best. Consider Catholic views on Assisted Human Reproduction Technologies, Bill 22 are ushered in and amended for GAY FAMILY RIGHTS self representing in Calgary Alberta, Court of Queens Bench Twitter fitnessexecdwh. Guiding legislation which should propell Gay Culture = Heteronormative with most advanced AHR possible best interest is INTENTION to presumption of parentage for ALL trumping BIOLOGICAL. Leading to more children, surrogates, adoptions by gay commonlaw couples and finanicial increase for Canadians plus more. GSA's are only begining it doesn't just get better it GETS EQUAL with time and adjustments to reality. Diversity makes Canadian contemporary society Iconoplastic for Global Human Rights including GAY MALE FAMILIES = GAY FEMALE FAMILIES Here's to hope the GSA's have received easier acceptance due to a cultural storm boiling over soon. This I believe is the eye of it. GAY FAMILIES We are ALL gay and we all need to ensure our RIGHTS are equal now and ALWAYS. BE a warrior each time you demand equality. Think twice about calling me FAG, Queer or Homo. I for one will stand up and it takes more than man to stop my spirit from my divine source!
DWH, Calgary Alberta
07/04/11 1:52 PM EST
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FYI
http://www.canadaviews.ca/2011/07/04/premier-dalton-mcguintys-remarks-to-pride-gala/
TBA, Toronto Ontario
07/04/11 3:57 PM EST
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Dignity vs. Hate
What we have to keep in mind is that human beings must be treated with dignity. Everyone has a right to believe in what they want. The issue with the Catholic School Board is that they have a problem with change. They don't like people telling them what to do. Being LGBT is not a choice, hold on what if it is? So what, do you not have a choice to be so rude Tom from Ottawa or even more ignorant Todd Pollard, Saint John NB and Jason from Liuzza, New Orleans, LA American people like you Disgust me Choice or otherwise this is not the question. Dignity, Respect all I hear from you people is anger and hate. It's sad really, I'll wish you the best. That goes out to all you God Fearing people out there, personally I grew up with a loving God.
Mark Luciani, Toronto, ON.
07/04/11 9:25 PM EST
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LOl
To Todd and Jason, get over it. We won. You lost. We have public support, you don't. Our struggle is recognized as equal rights, yours as bigotry. Guess what? We are only going to become more progressive as time goes on. So go ahead, come one gay sites and spew your little opinion. It makes no difference. In fact, it only helps our cause.
Mk_Ultra_Again, Edmonton Ab
07/04/11 10:27 PM EST
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Trans Human Rights Too?
Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty this is great news! Now could you please, please add Gender Identity and Expression to the Ontario Human Rights Act? We have lost so much ground in Ottawa with Bill C-389, please help us move Toby's Bill forward before it is too late... you have the power, we only have hope. (((((((((Hugs)))))))) Stefonknee
Stefonknee Wolscht, Toronto Ontario
07/05/11 6:25 AM EST
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langauge limitations
I am thrilled by this news....support for queer youth is so important. It creates a safe space for being ourselves, gives us a voice (and people who will listen to it), and fosters the development of happy queer adults. The only thing i see as potentially limiting is calling these clubs Gay-Straight alliances. While the intent maybe not be to exclude queer folks who don't identify as gay, the language used does. Why not call them QSA's (Queer-Straight Alliance)? Rainbow Alliances? Pride Clubs? Include the GLBTT2QI spectrum from the beginning. Maybe with a shorter acronym. ;)
Jake, Ottawa on
07/07/11 2:03 PM EST
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WHERE HAVE U BEEN MR MURRAY ??
SO NICE OF GLENN MURRAY TO FINALLY JOIN THE DEBATE . Too bad by the time school starts the election will be in full swing , the school boards will wait till its done and then when Mcguinty loses we will be back to square one . WHERE HAVE MURRAY AND MCGUINTY BEEN FOR THE PAST YEAR WHEN THEY COULD ACTUALLY HAVE DONE SOMETHING ABOUT IT !!!!!!! DONT LET THIS SOP FOR VOTES FOOL YOU !!!
GARY WOODROFFE, TORONTO ONTARIO
07/08/11 7:02 AM EST
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RE:
To Todd: Are you still living in the McCarthy era? The majority of “society” now understands that LGBT people deserve the same rights as every other human that has had no choice but to be born onto this planet. You’re entitled to your religious opinion but it is just that; religious and, might I add, not shared by many Christians anymore. In fact, Presbyterian churches just moved to allow ordination of LGBT ministers today in the US. To Jason: Truth? Really? According to?.... Especially when even Christians have not agreed on any one interpretation of the Bible. What does that say about truth when it’s always changing and multiple? According to medical and psychological professionals, homosexuality is no longer listed as a “disorder”. Also – way to point out a silly contradiction in JC’s post – that really adds to the discussion (heavy sarcasm). If leftism is for dullards, why are the world’s most intelligent people left leaning?
James, Fredericton New Brunswick
07/08/11 7:28 PM EST
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Unequal treatment by province
The province is telling the Catholic school board to accommodate gays and treat them equally - in spite of their Catholic religion. The province is allowing the public board to allow Muslims to preach intolerance and treat gays unequally - because of the Muslim religion. Does anyone here see the contradiction? Does anyone see a contradiction here?
Rae, Ontario Ontario
07/08/11 11:43 PM EST
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HOMOSEXUALITY IS WRONG
Leaving aside religion, in which God has succinctly and without any doubt stated that homosexuality is evil, along with all forms of sex that do not involve a man and a woman in a single lifetime marriage, let's look at natural law. Natural law is simply the act of looking at a thing to see how it is created and for what purpose. Only a dullard could look at male and female genitalia and not see that they are complimentary to each other and for a specific purpose. In other words, men and women are made to have sex, not men and men or women and women. This is how God has created the human race. The perversion of this creation is simply called "sin". It is, as the Bible defines the Hebrew word for it "missing the mark". The mark is that man and woman are to marry and express their love, which may also include the having of children. To do otherwise, whether it is in masturbation, pornography, fetishism, etc. is to "miss the mark." Homosexuals do not wish to be told this, nor do they wish to have pointed out to them that they are misusing the gift of sexuality for the purpose which it was made. They wish to take their emotions and make truth from feelings. Feelings are not objective truth. Truth is truth....your body as a male was made to compliment a female's body, and vice versa. This is natural law that cannot be overlooked. You are trying to make something work that is not made to do what you want it to do. It is just as evil to ignore God in the area of sexuality as it is to ignore Him in fighting illegal and immoral wars in Iraq and Libya when He has told us to be pursuers of peace. It is just as wrong to ignore God in sexuality as it is for Wall Street tycoons to steal from the poor to give to the rich. Those who do not wish to follow God's way, ignoring both the natural law of things and the Sacred Scriptures, will find to their horror that God will give them what they want in eternity and ignore them forever. That
Edward, Harrisburg USA
07/09/11 1:27 PM EST
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dear Edward...
Edward, I encourage you to find the proper definition of "Natural law" because what you have stated above does not fit that definition. I was too distracted by that flaw in your argument, I didn't read the rest of your comment. I'm sure it's nonsense anyways. Sincerely, Internet commentator
lola, vancouver Bc
07/09/11 2:06 PM EST
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Natural Law
In English this term is frequently employed as equivalent to the laws of nature, meaning the order which governs the activities of the material universe. Among the Roman jurists natural law designated those instincts and emotions common to man and the lower animals, such as the instinct of self-preservation and love of offspring. In its strictly ethical application—the sense in which this article treats it—the natural law is the rule of conduct which is prescribed to us by the Creator in the constitution of the nature with which He has endowed us. According to St. Thomas, the natural law is "nothing else than the rational creature's participation in the eternal law" (I-II.94). The eternal law is God's wisdom, inasmuch as it is the directive norm of all movement and action. When God willed to give existence to creatures, He willed to ordain and direct them to an end. In the case of inanimate things, this Divine direction is provided for in the nature which God has given to each; in them determinism reigns. Like all the rest of creation, man is destined by God to an end, and receives from Him a direction towards this end. This ordination is of a character in harmony with his free intelligent nature. In virtue of his intelligence and free will, man is master of his conduct. Unlike the things of the mere material world he can vary his action, act, or abstain from action, as he pleases. Yet he is not a lawless being in an ordered universe. In the very constitution of his nature, he too has a law laid down for him, reflecting that ordination and direction of all things, which is the eternal law. The rule, then, which God has prescribed for our conduct, is found in our nature itself. Those actions which conform with its tendencies, lead to our destined end, and are thereby constituted right and morally good; those at variance with our nature are wrong and immoral. You wouldn't know natural law if it walked up to you and slapped you in the face. Grow up!
Edward, Harrisburg USA
07/09/11 2:25 PM EST
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Focus on TDSB and Muslim schools
Personally, I think the gay community of Toronto should start addressing homophobia within the Muslim community. The Catholics understand the rule of law and will just hate you. The Muslims will execute you because of Sharia. You should be looking into how the TDSB is going to have Muslim schools within its jurisdiction. Scary!!! Please, be aware of the thin edge of the wedge. Protest what Chris Spence is doing!
Don't support TDSB's Muslim schools, Ontario Ontario
07/09/11 10:40 PM EST
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Safe Schools
Every student regardless of colour,religion,sexual oriention should go to any school and suffer name calling,bullying or any type of humiliation at the hands of another as it simply is not right to put down an individual.We have to teach more love ,kindness and tolerance for one another as this world has enough hate.A place of learning should be a institution free of hate and where a person can be safe .What should not be tolerated is name calling.bullying and making a persons life unbearable.We must start in our Schools so that the students can LEARN to be kind ,compassionate and most of all MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THIS WORLD AND IN THEIR FUTURE.
eboswell, windsor ont
07/13/11 4:40 PM EST
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Good Job
Good move on Ontario's part, with public funding the schools should conform to public (prov. government) requirements. If Muslim schools do become reality in TDSB jurisdiction, hopefully they too will have to conform, and not preach hate. There's enough hate in this world as there is...
Jamie Millard, South Surrey BC
07/14/11 2:35 AM EST
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Sad
How unfortunate that these groups have to force there agenda on the rest of the populace. Before, you label me a hate monger, which I am not, I agree that tolerance is required when dealing with people of different races and sexual preferences, but schools are not the place for this. This is a political agenda and has nothing to do with education. I could just imagine if I advocated for a straight alliance in all schools, it would be shot down so fast, and you wouldn't find one politician to ride my float.
TR71, Windsor ON
08/16/11 1:39 PM EST
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natural schmatural
Edward, Harrisburg USA, I'm sure you spend a lot of time looking at male and female genitalia. And while you are looking at them I'm sure you are using yours for a very specific purpose. But don't worry, it's natural.
steve, toronto ontario
09/02/11 5:28 PM EST
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