FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 9th, 2023
We stand firmly in solidarity with our New Brunswick Teachers. We stand with them while they continue to educate against hate and misinformation, as they strive for full inclusion of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community within schools.
Last week teachers gathered to learn how to better respond to the changing needs of students in our province. They do this annually as part of the NBTA Council Day, a professional learning funded by teachers through their own professional association dues.
Of the almost 200 sessions hosted in three locations, a handful of these sessions were designed to assist teachers in creating safe inclusive spaces in schools as set forth in Provincial Policy 713.
Chroma NB was invited to educate NB Teaching staff on Gender Identity and Expression and how to ensure every student feels like they belong. Over 20% of students grade 6-12 are part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.* This request came last minute due to the funding and Early Education and Childhood Development staff being pulled nine days prior to this event.
The Minister of Education and its representatives should be standing for the federal and provincial human rights of its citizens to be protected no matter their sexuality, gender identity or expression. Education in these topics only works to empower all students and teachers, and help prevent misinformation resulting in discrimination, hate and violence.
We urge the province to commit to policy 713 as it directly supports the Federal Bill C-16, as well as New Brunswick’s Human Rights Act, in its protection of gender identity and gender expression. We hope that the province continues these crucial education sessions supporting SOGI education and the protection of 2SLGBTQIA+ youth.
* https://nbhc.ca/table/grades-6-12-demographics?cuts=NB
Photo: Alex Ash, Chair of the Board at Chroma NB and educator at Saint John Learning Exchange and Mariah Darling, Education Coordinator at Chroma NB and President at Saint John Pride.
—Chroma: Pride, Inclusion, Equality Inc. is a non-profit organization that provides support for 2SLGBTQIA+ people in the Saint John Region. Chroma commits to advocating for and collaborating with our community, as well as providing 2SLGBTQIA+ education to all. We promote positive initiatives for the community and conduct research to highlight gaps in services and policy to encourage positive change.