It was recently announced that the Government of Saskatchewan will continue support for anti-bullying program by distributing $215,000 worth of funding to local organizations.
Included in this announcement was Canadian Red Cross Society, Saskatoon Restorative Action Program, and fYrefly Saskatchewan.
I am so happy that this list includes fYrefly Saskatchewan, an organization that focuses on education on the LGBTQ+ community in Saskatchewan.
It is great to see that the Government is willing to support this organization. They see the ties between bullying and the LGBTQ+ community.
Deputy Premier and Education Minister Don Morgan said creating these safe spaces is a priority for the government.
Suzy Yim, provincial school coordinator with the fYrefly program in schools, says that they work on inclusive education as a way to create policy, curriculums, and environments that include everyone.
A school having a Gay-Straight Alliance is a visible commitment of a safe space in schools, says Yim, with emphasis on the “safe”, for example, a no bullying space.
The straight in Gay-Straight Alliance means that this safe space is not for just homosexual students but allies as well; people who are supportive and accepting of people who are LGBTQ+.
Dee Sarauer graduated from HCI in 2016 and was pushing for a GSA.
Just having that support in place was a very important part of trying to get a GSA into her high school.
“Not everyone is going to get that in their home life or even in their friend life. Just having a group of people there to support you and accept you in your own school and be there to help you figure it out.”
According to some, this has been an on going battle to get a GSA in Humboldt and bullying is not just coming from other students but adults as well.
Let us dispel some myths about GSAs in schools; it will not turn a student gay, there is no gay agenda to “convert” people, and yes, people do grow up in rural areas being LGBTQ+, this is not a big city thing.
I understand we are a long way from getting a GSA in Humboldt but there will always be students who need one.
Just growing up LGBTQ+ in a rural area can be a trying experience with the majority of people feeling alone and isolated.
A space like this can help with that isolation since students who are LGBTQ+ will have a space where they can be themselves.
That is the biggest thing that I think people misunderstand about being LGBTQ+. These are just people trying to be themselves, which we are always advising kids to do. However, there have always been apparent addendums to this; not if you are gay, lesbian, or trans, not if you do not dress or act like other people, etcetera.
Parents and educators; need to make up their minds.
Either we support kids being different or we should just say that all kids must be the same.
