Catholic School Board Bans Gay-Straight Alliance Clubs

The Catholic School Board in Halton region has made a controversial decision to ban the formation of gay-straight Alliance clubs within their schools, despite a provincial law encouraging schools to promote the clubs should a student request one.

While some critics have targeted gay-straight alliance clubs as a source of conflict because they can been seen as publicizing member’s sexuality. Supporters of the group counter that the groups are meant to promote equality between all people, and that members represent many facets of sexuality.

Another source of criticism for the school board has been the statements of Board Chair, Alice Anne LeMay. LeMay named multiple groups that are banned in catholic schools, similar to the Gay-Straight Alliance, the worst of which were Nazi groups. LeMay has since apologized, stating that she never meant to compare Gay-Straight Alliance groups with Nazi groups.

Catherine Fife, president of the Ontario Public School Boards Association, said Monday “religious rights should not trump human rights in our schools. Gay-straight alliances are one way to create a venue for understanding and conversation, which is the only way to end discrimination.”