Humboldt's gay and lesbian community now has an organization to call its own. The inaugural meeting of the Humboldt chapter of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) was held on May 19 at the Westminster United Church. About 20 people were in attendance, including family, friends and members of the general public. Discussion centered on efforts to establish links with local schools and the city itself, though little progress has been made.Humboldt Collegiate Institute (HCI) principal Cory Popoff said the school has received no communication from PFLAG, though co-founder Sarah Miller said she did send the school an email on May 3. In the email, Miller asked if school administrators would make students and staff aware of the existence of PFLAG. Miller also offered to supply brochures and any information that would be needed. Popoff was hesitant to commit HCI to any specific agenda."We don't want to narrow the spectrum of social justice issues," Popoff said. "I'm not sure there's an appetite for that because we are dealing with bullying at this time."Popoff was referring to a survey taken at the school that identified bullying as a top concern for students.Miller felt a specific focus on gay issues as opposed to a broader emphasis on bullying would be helpful."You can't tell me this wouldn't help anyone at the school," she said. Miller said she's heard from students currently at HCI who have expressed interest in PFLAG or a similar organization having a presence at the school. HCI is unique in that its feeder schools include both Catholic and public institutions. The high school is co-managed by both Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools and the public Horizon School Division. Coupled with the strong Catholic presence in Humboldt, any attempt to establish an organization like PFLAG at the high school would be sure to elicit some opposition.For potentially controversial issues like promoting PFLAG, HCI's joint operating committee would be consulted. The committee is made up of members from both the public and Catholic boards."We ask the administration to have a higher level of sensitivity on anything that could have implications on school operation or curriculum," said Al Boutin, superintendent of human resources with Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools. He added that putting up brochures or posters for PFLAG would qualify for such higher sensitivity. Mayor Malcolm Eaton said that the city hasn't received any communication from PFLAG beyond a Facebook message from Miller inquiring as to how to address council during a meeting. He said that the city doesn't ordinarily respond to overtures from national organizations, but would in the case of a local group like the one in Humboldt.The Humboldt PFLAG chapter was co-founded by Sarah Miller and Neva MacKay, who said their main goal was to increase tolerance in the community and ensure a happy future for their young son, Oliver."I'd like to see things at a point where when Oliver goes to school, it's not a problem for him that he has two moms," Miller said. While Miller and MacKay haven't experienced much direct harassment - "The worst thing was a group of teenagers who used to drive by and yell 'Dyke!' at me," MacKay said - they see an obvious but subtle lack of understanding in the community. "When we're at the supermarket or walking down the street, people always ask us, 'You guys are sisters, right?'" MacKay said with a sarcastic laugh. "It's like if they ignore the reality, they don't have to deal with it," Miller added. The group is planning to have an entry in the Saskatoon Pride Parade on June 15 and its leaders are hoping to hold meetings once a month.
