LGBT+ History Month
October 1st marks the start of LGBT+ History Month, a month-long observance of 2SLGBTQIA+ history and the gay rights movement, first celebrated in 1994. It offers an opportunity for reflection and celebration on the progress and sacrifices made by 2SLGBTQIA+ people and allies in the ongoing fight for equal human rights. LGBT+ History Month is also celebrated in October to coincide with National Coming Out Day, which is observed in Canada on October 11th.
This important month allows qathet School District to reaffirm its commitment to cultivating a safe and inclusive educational environment for all students. We proudly celebrate the diversity of our students and strongly support SOGI-inclusive education, ensuring that every student and their family are represented in our curriculum. Additionally, last year, the Brooks Secondary GSA (Gender and Sexuality Alliance) group led the initiative to raise awareness and visibly display Intersex-Inclusive Progress Pride Flags at every school so that all qathet School District students, staff members, and visitors would feel welcome and supported - no matter what their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression might be.
So, what is SOGI Education?
SOGI stands for Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. The SOGI 1 2 3 learning resource was created by the ARC Foundation in collaboration with education partners, school districts and community organizations to assist with the delivery of the new curriculum. The focus of the SOGI learning resource can be summed up as follows: Every student understands and expresses their gender differently, with interests and choices that are common or less common for their biological sex. Some students may be unsure of their sexual orientation. Others may identify specifically as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, two-spirit, heterosexual, cisgender and more. A SOGI-inclusive school means all these experiences and identities are welcomed and never a cause for discrimination.
Sourced from bcsta.org
In our district, while SOGI provides optional grade-specific lesson plans that align with the curriculum, there is no separate SOGI curriculum. SOGI related topics are integrated into various subjects, such as Physical and Health Education, Language Arts, and Social Studies. This isn’t anything new as teachers have long incorporated themes of inclusion, diversity, and related topics in their teachings. SOGI-inclusive education simply means speaking about SOGI in a way that ensures every student feels like they belong.
Additionally, qathet School District is part of the sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) Educator Network. This network provides resources to ensure that:
- All qSD schools are inclusive and safe spaces;
- A student's gender does not limit their interests and opportunities;
- A student's sexual orientation and how they understand and express their gender are welcomed without discrimination.
More information and additional resources:
FAQ on SOGI Education:
https://bcsta.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/2018-SOGI_Education_BCSTA-FAQs_updated_Sept2018.pdf
Parents’ Guide to SOGI in Schools:
https://www.sogieducation.org/resource/parents-guide-to-sogi-in-schools/
Facilitating Courageous Conversations:
Supporting trans, Two-Spirit, and non-binary youth:
LGBTQ+ History resource:
https://www.glsen.org/lgbtq-history
Adults Supporting 2SLGBTQI Youth:
https://egale.ca/awareness/adults-supporting-2slgbtqi-youth/
What to Do When Your Child Comes Out to You:
https://egale.ca/awareness/what-to-do-when-your-child-comes-out-to-you/
Full of information, first-person stories, and expert input geared to those who have a loved one who has come out as trans or gender expansive: