I am sad to read, lately, in The duty, statements suggesting that promoting young people’s rights to sexual and gender diversity in schools would be proselytizing. The Quebec Charter of Rights and Freedoms was among the first to prohibit exclusion based on sex, gender identity or expression, and sexual orientation. It also defends discrimination on the basis of religion and political beliefs, it is worth mentioning. Over time, a certain reciprocity has developed: respecting the rights of others to the same extent that we want to see our own respected. But it’s a constant search for balance, I agree.
There are still parents who, for various reasons, would be comfortable with sexism, racism, misogyny, homophobia or transphobia. It is their right, I want to make it clear. However, in its role of preparation for civic life and better living together, the school cannot adopt attitudes or statements that would go against our Charters (Quebec and Canadian) advocating equality. It must preach benevolence, respect for others and openness to human diversity. In its search for equitable treatment, it even happens that it has to do a little more for certain populations that were more victims of stigmatization or prejudice. We wouldn’t need a Black History Month or a Pride Month if racism, homophobia or transphobia had never existed.
Human solidarity should never be an obligation: it is nonetheless a civic duty. As co-author of the first Quebec research on suicidality among young gay men (Dead or fif. Homophobia, bullying and suicide, published almost 25 years ago), I am happy that our schools are now concerned with passing messages of openness to young people of sexual and gender diversity. This can save the lives of children and adolescents for whom the discovery of their difference, the fear of rejection or the very concrete manifestations of the latter can be very trying events.
Promoting respect for human diversity is not proselytizing. More and more teachers are realizing this. They want not only to educate our children well, but to give them the desire to be happy with themselves and with their peers. It is a work that can still be improved, I have no doubt about it; however, it deserves to be hailed and encouraged.
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