New law makes inclusive spaces for LGBTQ2S+ students mandatory in Yukon schools
Posted: April 22, 2022
By: Julien Gignac
A new bill has been passed that requires Yukon schools to create inclusive spaces for LGBTQ+ students. The bill, passed on April 19th, will require administrators to establish initiatives to create a safe space for students who identify as LGBTQ+, and to dispel discrimination and inequality. These activities, which should be run or revised yearly, should be centered around gender identity, sexual orientation, and self-expression. This also involves the creation of GSAs, or Gender Sexuality Alliances. Both are designed to help students in multiple forms, being a place to connect with the community, get help from teachers, and to help gather advocates. The goal is to “the move will ensure supportive environments for everyone, regardless of where they live in the territory.” This is also seen as incredibly rare, considering it was originally proposed by the NDP, making it one of the very few opposition bills to have been passed.
I feel as though this bill is a very positive step towards true gender equality. It’s been accepted as a part of life for many years that there will always be those students, those teachers, who will disrespect you and your identity, in whatever form that may be. This bill is a true law that it put in place to protect the students, as opposed to the past turning of blind eyes and ‘stern talking-to’s’. I strongly believe that this is only the first step in a movement soon to come for the entire country, and would truly be shocked if we didn’t see similar bills being passed cross country.
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