This document proposes an anti-homophobia policy for a school district based on testimony from students and parents about harassment and discrimination faced by LGBTQ+ students. The policy would adopt a zero-tolerance approach for homophobic slurs and harassment, requiring suspension and education for offenders. It notes high rates of suicide attempts among LGBTQ+ youth due to lack of support and calls for mandatory education about LGBTQ+ issues to combat homophobia and make schools safer.

1. Anti-Homophobia Policy
“You know there is a problem in our schools when people treat others as
lesser people based on who they love, and there is [little to] nothing in
place to tell them they can’t.” –SDSS Student

2. Our Point of View:
Intolerance of LGBTQ+ people is a serious issue and dangerous to those who are
being harassed/targeted by the marginalization.
We suggest a zero-tolerance approach pertaining to the Code of Conduct.
Students who harass others for their gender identity/expression or sexuality
should face suspension and mandatory education of LGBTQ+ issues, and, as
stated above, attempt to correct the wrong that is committed in some form of
apology.
We believe, though, that education is absolutely crucial when it comes to battling
gender and sexuality discrimination, and that in these cases needs to be strictly
enforced.

3. What We Are Looking For:
The Original Burnaby School District Policy can be viewed here
This policy very closely resembles the one we request for our own school district.
We agree with most things within the policy, but there are some alterations and
additions we would like to see.
This policy does not address how homophobic slurs/harassment would be dealt with.
District Code of Conduct states that those who act unacceptably will be faced with
consequences that should:
Be thoughtful, consistent and fair
Seek to prevent a recurrence of the offense
Teach acceptable social behaviour rather than be merely punitive
And where appropriate
Provide means for restitution and restorative actions
Involve the offender in determining a corrective plan of action

4. Why We Need a Strict Policy as Opposed to Being Lumped
Under the “Anti-bullying” Umbrella:
Homophobia is so much more than bullying. Homophobia is an attitude.
Society places taboos upon and demoralizes those who are already
struggling with who they are. As long as this heterosexist frame of
mind is prominent, youth will continue to take their own lives.
Education about LGBTQ+ issues and homophobia’s effect on youth of
gender and sexual minorities is mandatory if we want to make lives better
and safer for students who are struggling.
Lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth are at a higher risk of attempting suicide (28% of
LGBTQ+ youth vs. only 4% of heterosexual youth) [McCreary 2008].
This number is unacceptably high. Why is this? Youth who are struggling with their
gender and sexuality are not proficiently supported by their peers or families. Many
are even too afraid to try to reach out to others.
By reducing LGBTQ+ harassment in schools, we eliminate so much of the pressure that
causes the tragic deaths and depression in youth.

5. Is Homophobia a Problem in Delta Schools?
Homophobia is often a less obvious form of bullying. It’s swept
under the rug all too often; teachers, administration, and even some
of the students can be unaware of what’s happening around them.
So how can we be sure homophobia is even an issue?
Let’s look at what the students have to say. (Note, most students have
wished to remain anonymous so we have not included names)
“I have friends that have been physically harassed and threatened with things that would
not be appropriate to say to ANYONE in ANY circumstance, based purely on uncertainty to
their sexuality. They’ve come out of the closet, then gone right back in because of
homophobia. I personally am afraid to come out because of these examples.” – SDSS
Student

6. “My brother gets called a ‘fag’ and ‘gay’ all the time. People threaten to hurt
him, but he is too nice to tell on them. He is frightened to leave our house
and go to school. He is not gay.” –SDSS Student
“Throughout the entire school there is an implicit undercurrent of
homophobia, of glances thrown, cutting tones used and people
excluded and then of course there are the concrete instances too...”
–SDSS Student
“[I am] Feeling pressure from my peers and friends to change myself
because they were not comfortable with my uncertainty towards my
gender” –SDSS Student

7. “[I am afraid of] publicly coming out because of fears of being
discriminated against and also because of fears of losing friends.” –
SDSS Student
“I am constantly hearing the words ‘fag’ or ‘gay’ thrown around like funny jokes in
the hallways or even by my friends. It hurts me that they don’t understand how
hurtful these words are. I have many friends who have been victims of verbal
harassment and I get really upset seeing how upset it makes them. People need
to understand just how hurtful these words are and the impact that ‘joking around’
with them makes.” –SDSS Student
“...people don’t realize that the word ‘gay’ shouldn’t be used in a negative
manner. The number of times I have been called gay as an insult, and I
have heard others being called/calling others gay can’t be counted.” –
SDSS Student

8. “Intolerance of the LGBTQ+ community is getting out of hand in our school district. Slurs
in the hallways are not only common, but expected. So many students, my
friends, have felt unsafe in their own school. They have hidden or diminished who they
are, because in their “safe learning environment”, they do not feel safe. I have been
harassed for my androgyny, gender expression and sexuality, as have a great portion
of my gender and sexual minority and allied friends. We are purposefully and
accidentally marginalized by heterosexism and homophobia in our peers and teachers.
So many of us feel depressed and alone. So many of us can’t even come out to others
to express our fears and unite against them. So many of us are afraid. It is not our
responsibility to make our environment safe; it is yours.” –SDSS Student
“Being gay does not change who I am, and I’m not a freak, so do
not freak out if I talk to you, because I’m just trying to be nice.” –
SDSS Student

9. And it’s not only Student’s Who Are Noticing
“As a parent of a queer student, I believe it’s crucial and imperative for this policy to be
enforced. The kids who are bullied for the colour of their skin, or colour of their hair, or
the fact that they have braces still have their parents to accept them and to love them
unconditionally when they get home. The difference with queer kids and the reason so
many of them are taking their lives is that most of them are too afraid to even come
out to their parents, so they don’t have their family to undo the damage their peers
have done throughout the day. This policy would ensure that they had a safer place to
be who they are and to simply be. I have a two year old and a four year old as well as a
queer teen, and I have seriously considered homeschooling as an alternative. My four
year old likes the colour pink and playing with “girl” toys. His gender expression is quite
ambiguous compared to most kids his age, so to me it’s not a question of if but when he
gets bullied. I want the school environment to be safer for my younger children than it
has been for my older one. We can’t afford to lose any more young lives.”
-Michelle Van Beek, Parent

10. "One form of homophobia is bullying but homophobia is far more than
bullying. It is expressed in many ways."
“Students came to me to start the Alliance Club. They make me aware of
what is going on. And today, they make us all aware of the importance
of an anti-homophobia policy."
-Lucie Ferrari, SDSS Alliance Club Sponsor Teacher and Modern
Languages and French Immersion Department Head
Our Lives Could be In Your Hands, so What Are
You Going To Do About It?