Re: Board Equity Policy

It is encouraging to see that letters to the editor continue to be submitted and printed regarding the recent school board acceptance of the Sexual Orientation Strand of the Equity Policy. It is a divisive issue and will now be in our children's classrooms.

The root of the problem is understanding the need to place limits on Equality and where those limits must be placed. Most persons, we believe, support the concept that all persons are created equal and are to be treated in an equal manner however, as is clear in any court of law, all behaviours are not equal and therefore are not treated equally. The point of law is to discern between behaviours which are of the common good and those which are detrimental. This is rational discrimination.

In the context of the public school, 'Equality' simply means ensuring that each student has equal access to all school programs and services and 'Equity' is the providing of additional resource to assist those who are not achieving their potential due to some disadvantage beyond their control.

During their presentation in support of the Sexual Orientation Strand, the representative of the LGBTQ Advisory Committee of Hamilton in speaking of the grade 9 health class stated :

"There's a systematic homophobia that exists in this two week health class. Alternate sexualities are not addressed, not even mentioned, or merely hinted at. The closest you get is a fleeting mention of anal sex, and this is in relation to straight relationships. The health nurses that come in are not even allowed to teach alternate sexualities, if they took the initiative! Why is this? Brendan investigated this, and the answer he got was that parents might be angry at the material, and withdraw their kids from the program, upon which they get no sex education whatsoever. In other words, the school board is letting themselves be intimidated by unreasonable threats. There is no real reason for leaving this part of normal human sexuality out, other than systematic homophobia, and heterosexism."

Here, the LGBTQ Advisory Committee insists that their sexual acts including anal sex be taught as normal during health class and that not doing so is homophobic and heterosexist. They are insisting that society deem all sexual conduct as equal which simply is not the case nor the point of health classes.

A Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Table presented at a 2007 Gay Men and HIV Conference identified that for the Region of Toronto in 2004, 1 in 5 men who have sex with men (MSM) are HIV positive and that by the end of 2008 it will increase to 1 in 4. These infection rates are far above the norm.

All sexual conduct is not equal. Health classrooms, and any school classroom for that matter, must be used to promote healthy living for our students rather than mislead them under the guise of equality or equity. Looking out for our children's health is not homophobic; it is wise parenting.

Jim Enos

Chair, Healthy Living Committee

Vice-president Hamilton-Wentworth Family Action Council