June 8th, 2023
June 8th, 2023
QUEEN’S PARK – NDP MPP Jennie Stevens (St. Catharines) was joined by MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam (Toronto-Centre), Opposition Critic for 2SLGBTQI Issues, to call for clear action for 2SLGBTQI communities in Niagara, and across Ontario amid an alarming rise of homophobia and transphobia.
To promote safe and welcoming learning environments, Stevens and Wong-Tam called on the Minister of Education to exercise powers under the Education Act and to ensure the pride flag is consistently raised at all publicly funded schools in the Province of Ontario during Pride Month.
“The Niagara Catholic School Board Director of Education did the right thing by condemning the motion from two trustees, but the community needs more,” said Steven. “It is no longer enough for politicians in the month of June to just condemn violence with words only. Our support needs to be shown every month, and it needs to be done with real action,” said Stevens. “My message to the community is this: you are safe, you are loved, and we will do everything in our power to make that clear. Prejudice has no home in Niagara.”
During Pride Month this year, some schools in Niagara have had their progress rainbow flags become targets of intolerance, trustees have used hateful language, and bigotry has been spray painted on schools.
“The Accepting Safe Schools Act since 2012 has supported student groups combatting homophobia and transphobia," said Wong-Tam. "It’s enabled Gay-Straight Alliances in schools when requested by students. As the Premier of the most diverse province in Ontario, Doug Ford, should be directing his Minister of Education to raise the rainbow flag at all publicly funded schools for Pride Month. Their failure to do has created an environment where hate has grown and spread. It’s on their watch that hate crimes against the 2SLGBTQI communities in the province have increased 107 per cent over the last year. Raising the rainbow flag is a simple yet significant action, one that is in alignment with the Ontario Human Rights Code".
This week at Queen’s Park, MPP Wong-Tam joined Christian leaders in revealing an Ecumenical Christian Unity Statement signed by over 500 clergy members from 12 denominations showing support for the 2SLGBTQI communities while rejecting bigotry and hate.