Open Letter in Support of 2SLGBTQIA+ Youth & SOGI Education in Schools
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A month ago, hundreds of Yukoners came out as a community to show our unflinching support of 2SLGBTQIA+ youth and SOGI (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity-inclusive) education in schools. Together, we vastly outnumbered and outlasted the “1MillionMarch4Children” protest against SOGI education in Whitehorse, and sent a powerful message of support to 2SLGBTQIA+ youth and their peers across the Territory.
Now, the national movement against queer & trans lives has planned another round of protests on October 21st, 2023. Organizers of the Yukon protest have been relatively quiet since September. The time and location of a local follow-up protest has been kept out of the public eye, likely in hopes that secrecy will prevent supporters of 2SLGBTQIA+ students and educators from once again drowning them out with displays of love and care for our youth.
We may not know when or where the next anti-SOGI protest will pop up, but we maintain our unwavering support for the queer, trans and questioning youth of our community. Youth of every gender and orientation deserve an education that includes them and their experience.
SOGI education is not an attempt to “turn kids gay/trans.” We know that a person’s gender and sexuality cannot be changed by external forces, and that our diverse genders and sexual orientations are a natural part of human diversity. (Conversion therapy, which attempts to turn trans and queer people straight or cisgender, is abusive, illegal in the Yukon, and proven to be ineffective.)
Neither does the inclusion of 2SLGBTQIA+ topics in school “sexualize” kids—learning about Two-Spirit, trans and queer relationships, identities and individuals is no less age-appropriate than the heterosexual counterparts. SOGI education simply teaches youth about the factual diversity that exists in the world, giving them tools to navigate their society and see themselves, their friends and families reflected in their curriculum. In fact, research shows that creating 2SLGBTQIA+-inclusive school environments makes both straight and 2SLGBTQIA+ students feel safer, improves their mental health, and reduces instances of sexual assault.
“Conversations around gender and sexuality are new topics of our time, and are (very unfortunately, to everyone’s detriment) currently a major talking point politically. But! when removed from the political spectrum, these conversations are quite mundane in nature, and more or less could be a chapter in any social studies textbook.Even if your child isn’t queer, they most certainly will know other queer students, or have queer friends. The conversations had around queerness in the school environment are helpful to the student body as a whole.”
- From a handout at the September 20 Counterprotest in Whitehorse
The anti-SOGI crowd talks about “protecting the children'' to rally support for their attacks on trans and queer people’s lives and safety, using wild insinuations, misrepresentation and scientifically-unsound studies to spread fear and unease among those of us who don’t know any better. The tactic preys on our protective instincts and our love for children. But eliminating SOGI topics from schools is not an act of protection, it’s an assault on children’s human rights.
As 2SLGBTQIA+ community members and allies, we ask you to show your commitment to our youth by adding your name to this Open Letter. If you want to learn more about these topics, we’ve included some resources below to get you started.
Click here to add your name
Resources:
The importance of SOGI 123 resources in schools, a brief summary of why SOGI education is important and how anti-SOGI messaging hurts 2SLGBTQIA+ youth (Advocacy Canada, Kelowna, 2023)
SOGI Myth-busting, A guide to common myths and misconceptions about SOGI education, by Kelli Kraft and Ambit Gender Diversity Consulting (Victoria, BC, 2018)
How Young Can SOGI Go? Talking to primary students about sexual orientation and gender identity (EdCan Network, 2019)
Teacher Bryan Gidinski explains how conversations about sexuality and gender are already present in children’s lives, and how equipping teachers to navigate these conversations inclusively can help youth make sense of their world.Bullying among sexuality and gender diverse youth, StatsCan (2022)
Across Canada, 2SLGBTQIA+ youth are more likely than their peers to face bullying at school, and significantly more likely to experience mental health challenges and suicidal ideation. SOGI education works to change these dynamics.Inclusive Practices Help All Students Thrive (CDC, 2022)
When schools implement 2SLGBTQIA+-supportive policies and practices, all students experience Less emotional distress, less violence and harassment, and less suicidal thoughts and behaviours. The more policies and practices a school implements the better the student health outcomes.The SOGI 123 website includes information about SOGI education and resources for parents and teachers
Signatures:
Queer Yukon Society
Cindy Ngo
Colleen Segriff, Teacher
Emily Brooks
hayden grace
"support trans kids, listen to trans kids, trans rights are human rights, this should not be up for debate"Jade Lacosse
Jules Anderson
Kai Leslie Margaret, queerdo
Kieran Dillon-Russell
Mikayla Ericsson
Mirabel Sirois, Activist & Advocate
Molly Swain, PhD Student, University of Alberta
Mona Luxion, Executive Director, Queer Yukon Society
Olivia River
Sadie Segriff
Shaun LaDue, A wandering Queer Yukoner
Tara Borin
Tyra Ashauntie
B B
"Protect all children from predators who would withhold safe and proper education around gender identity and sexual orientation. If they are old enough to learn about male/female straight sexual education then they are old enough to also learn about transgender/non-binary and queer sexual education at the same time."Lisa Vollans-Leduc
Barry Jack Jenkins
Meredith Pritchard
Sana Javed
Barbara Simmss
Liam Duke
Julaine Debogorski
Simon Mazziotti
Meghan Marjanovic
Angela Drainville
Yukon Theatre for Young People Society (YTYP)
Dorothée Tölgyesi
Sophie Molgat
Selene Vakharia
Jess Dorward
Michael Edwards
Hannah Bjork-Andison
Bridgeen Barber
Jeszika Mae
Meriya Gmeiner McPherson, Whitehorse resident
Lareina Twardochleb
Emily Crist
Willow Gamberg
Emily Gayda
Kirsty wells
Hanna Bostick
C L
"Well said Queer Yukon and thank you for bringing clarity to what SOGI is and isn't"Joanna Sharp
Julie Laliberte
Heather Roach
Shelby Maunder
Emily MacDonald
Hannah Tolman
"The Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre supports keeping trans and queer youth safe, respected and educated!"Joline Beauregard
Jordan Stevens
Kris A
Evan Joel
Casey Albert, Executive Director of BYTE- Empowering Youth
Monique Pauls
Kylee Fernandes
Abbey Gartner
Abigail Miller, Human Rights Officer, Yukon Human Rights Commission
Jenna Wyers
Emma Eaton
"I would like to state that parents of queer children should also have the right for their kids to have safe places in schools. I would like to have the right to not worry about my kids at school, in case they are queer. The presupposition that queer kids, teachers or education is dangerous and inaccurate."Chelsea Jeffery
Maren Sinclair-Eckert
Tamara Carter
Jessica Andrusyk
Sophia Marnik
Islai Rathlin, Non-normative experiences therapist
Atis Alksnis
Jelena Antonic
Levi bruce
Mireille Simon, Ally and social worker
Dustin Parsons
Vanessa Stewart
Paul McCarney, Research Professional, Yukon University
Caili Steel
"SOGI education saves lives!"Bradshaw Carnaghan, Security technician
Emily Tyson
Késsie Ford
MC Boucher
Frances Langtry
Michiko Profeit
"PROTECT TRANS KIDS!"Breanna Josie
Adanchilla Pauls
Marianne Moreton, SSW Student
Cedrick Vinoya
Felix O
Nicole Schafenacker
Meg Grudeski, Registered Psychologist
Amy Kathleen labonte
Kim Edgar
Adria Collins
Teagan Beemer
Syd Anderson
Alexandra Relkoff
John Plante
"Human rights are not to be politicized or protested against!"Kirsten Burrows
Karen MacDonald
Kari Mathers
Jaimie Hale, Teacher RSS, Dawson City
Hayley Lineham, Dental Hygienist
Katia Puritch
Aurora April
Alexander April
Michelle Friesen
Samuel Flynn
Rylee Reed
Véro Lachance
Leigh Relkoff
Andrea Wilson
Michael Kulachkosky
Alexandra Taylor
Candace Stuart
Kathleen Hare
Magdalena Petrovic
Virginia Allan
"Love please. Trans care saves lives. 🧡"Eric Labrecque
"Great letter, lays it all out so clearly. Trans rights are human rights, period."Heather LeDuc
Jordy Walker
Lucie Desaulniers
Heather Sealey
"The rising levels of intolerance for LGBTQ+ and especially for Trans folks is extremely concerning, and should never be a part of Canada."Antoine Goulet
Gwen kovachik-macneil
"🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️"Jessica Giroux
Leslee Fradette
Halyna Beksa, Born & Raised Yukoner
Gillian Gibson
Carlee Cherniwchan
Jenny Hamilton
Melissa Crum, Watson Lake Teacher
Tori Beemer
Fionnhula Doran
Kai Bruce
Jasmine Baxter
riley olsen
Sofia Ashley
The Victoria Faulkner Women's Centre
Samantha Hand
Stephanie Coombes, Registered Nurse, sexual health educator
Sam Angel
Evyn Prokopchuk
"Love will always win 🩵"Fayth Starr, CKRW The Rush
Arianne Germain
Asha Bittenbender
Kristina Young
Rhiannon Klein
Justine Walton
Fred Pierre
Emmy Ivy BELLAMY , Artist
Jeneen Njootli, Artist
Gavin Clarke
Sandra Milliken
Jonathan Ferguson
Anna Claire Ryan
Michelle Wolsky
Brianne Bremner
Allison Cunningham
Kate Fitzgerald
A.J. Zammit
Jillian Bernier
Brontë Renwick-Shields
Kristy Olson
Laura Pauls
Tamara McEnroe
Nickole Wlasichuk
Alexa Mitchell
Sarah Gallagher
B. Prokopchuk
Jill Aalhus
Andy Pee
"T4T love 4ever"Talula Maxfield
Koreen Montgomery
Dan Bushnell, Molotov and Bricks Tattoo
Alisha Zylstra
jody Burton-Hobbis
Haley Steinhoff
Graeme Poile
Brianna Stanek
Amber Polson
Ethan Kaskamin
Jeleena Neufeld
Hannah Gray
Sigourny Whipple-Grantham
Angela Epp, Educational Researcher, Graduate Student (Educational / Child Psychology)
Chloe Edbrooke
Hannah Wilkie
Lindsay Seale
Pretty NL
Jennifer Glyka
Holly Borwick
Chelsea LaRose
Gail Chester
Robin Reid-Fraser, Born-and-raised queer Yukoner who is excited that current and future queer/trans kids and their communities will have even more institutional support <3
Jessie Bartsch
Alysha Gullison
Meagan Grabowski
Tenisha Mayes
Rian Lougheed-Smith, Parent, and proud member of our diverse community
Monica Sharma
Ryleigh Grant-Turner
Morgan Cashin
Beth Dart
Jenny George
"Schools are for everyone!"Trish McRae, Proudly queer & CEO of North Star Financial Consulting and Bookkeeping
Josh Kearney , Future Educator
Judy Cashin
"Kindness not hate for everyone."Julia Cottle
Youkali Ménard
Kamp Yukon
Gender Creative Kids Vancouver
Cassandra Andrew
Ferdinand Royle
Hannah Deuling
James Saunders
Shai Baxendale
Luna Lyday
Sol Solstice
Megan Juss
Rebecca Manias
Russ Hobbis, Bilsten Creek Tree Service
Christy Caskenette
Ky Trociuk
Christopher Stebbing, Counsellor
Callan van Delft
"Trans people are human too. We deserve to have rights."Kirsten Bradley
Sarah Ouellette
Lisa Riehl
Margaret Campbell
Burning Palette
Susan Preston
Shayna Kinney
Annie Pellicano
Kate White, Leader Yukon NDP
Jason Cook, PCSS Rainbow Room and GSA Leader
Julie Todd, Educator
Robin Carrey
"Kids rights, trans rights = human rights"Taïga Troy
Amy Law
Allie Winton
Renee Mills
Karen Shearer
Montana Prysnuk
Michael Vernon
Justin Lemphers
Bill Willoughby, teacher
Denise Schneider
Kara Garcia, M.S.W., R.S.W.
Harmony Istchenko
Alexander Garcia
Katie Cheung
Jess Pump
Aiden Stefanson
Kelvin Smoler
Scott Maynard
Johan Geshev
"We are human beings, not a political ideology. It is not inappropriate merely to exist."Kathleen McDade, Teacher
Sarah Beisick
Megan M
Kiki Barua
Michaela Rideout
Arts In the Park
Music Yukon
cool jill
Aude St-Louis
Jessica McIntyre
Jennifer Asselstine, Mom and Ally 🌈
Sam Asselstine
Meg Walker
Isabelle Salesse, Association franco-yukonnaise
Robyn Sabin
"I find it unfathomable that parents would think, utilizing anti trans vitriol, somehow protects children. When in fact they are persecuting kids for existing. That’s pretty low."Osric Stevens, Trans community member
Sheila Maissan, Ally from Whitehorse United Church
Lisa Knight, Retired teacher and biologist
Zoë K