The Brandon School Division in Manitoba voted 6-1 on Tuesday night to reject a proposal to remove books on sexuality and gender identity from school libraries, following a public backlash against the idea.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe proposal was brought forward by a former trustee and grandmother, Lorraine Hackenschmidt, who claimed that some books were inappropriate for children and could cause them to question their gender identity. She also cited a resource from the Canadian Centre for Child Protection (C3P) that she said supported her views.
However, the C3P wrote to the school board to clarify that its resource was taken out of context and misused by Hackenschmidt. The C3P said it supports inclusive education and does not endorse book bans.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe school board meeting was attended by hundreds of people, many of whom spoke against the proposal and cheered the decision. Among them were representatives from Brandon Pride, Brandon University, Brandon Teachers’ Association and other local groups.
One of the speakers was Penni Jones, a mother of a transgender child who said she was bullied and attempted suicide before finding support at school. She said the books were vital for students like her son.
“These books are not just books. They are lifelines,” she said.
The board chair, Linda Ross, said the proposal was based on errors and untruths, and that denying the reality of transgender people was harmful and disrespectful.
“Because it is not your experience does not mean that it is not the reality of others,” she said.
The only trustee who voted in favor of the proposal was Kevan Sumner, who said he wanted to respect the concerns of some parents and community members.
The vote was welcomed by Manitoba’s Families Minister Rochelle Squires, who said it showed the importance of eradicating hate and promoting love in society.
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The Brandon School Division in Manitoba voted 6-1 on Tuesday night to reject a proposal to remove books on sexuality and gender identity from school libraries, following a public backlash against the idea.
The proposal was brought forward by a former trustee and grandmother, Lorraine Hackenschmidt, who claimed that some books were inappropriate for children and could cause them to question their gender identity. She also cited a resource from the Canadian Centre for Child Protection (C3P) that she said supported her views.
However, the C3P wrote to the school board to clarify that its resource was taken out of context and misused by Hackenschmidt. The C3P said it supports inclusive education and does not endorse book bans.
The school board meeting was attended by hundreds of people, many of whom spoke against the proposal and cheered the decision. Among them were representatives from Brandon Pride, Brandon University, Brandon Teachers’ Association and other local groups.
One of the speakers was Penni Jones, a mother of a transgender child who said she was bullied and attempted suicide before finding support at school. She said the books were vital for students like her son.
“These books are not just books. They are lifelines,” she said.
The board chair, Linda Ross, said the proposal was based on errors and untruths, and that denying the reality of transgender people was harmful and disrespectful.
“Because it is not your experience does not mean that it is not the reality of others,” she said.
The only trustee who voted in favor of the proposal was Kevan Sumner, who said he wanted to respect the concerns of some parents and community members.
The vote was welcomed by Manitoba’s Families Minister Rochelle Squires, who said it showed the importance of eradicating hate and promoting love in society.