out parental permission. In Canada, there have been mass school absences to protest Pride month, demonstrations outside of class- rooms, disruptions to board meetings, and a decided uptick in violence towards the rain- bow community. Nonetheless, public schools have a respon-
sibility to create a safe and inclusive learning environment for everyone. An increasingly large percentage of the student population is 2SLGBTQ+. In 2021, my board launched a student census that found that 4.4 per cent of students in grades 4 to 12 self-identify as a gender that differs from their sex assigned at birth and 23.8 per cent of students in grades 7 to 12 self-identify with a sexual orientation that is considered part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Te stakes for these students are very high. Research shows that trans youth are five times more likely to consider or at-
tempt suicide. Teachers are oſten the first trusted adult that a child discloses to. It is not an exaggeration to say that how we show our allyship and support can be life-saving.
WHAT CAN EDUCATORS DO?
Firstly, check in on your 2SLGBTQ+ col- leagues because many are struggling. Show up for them. Listen. Educate yourself. Make your allyship known. In my school, students in our gender and sexuality alliance (GSA) went classroom-to-classroom to educate their peers about Pride month. During one visit, a student stood up and leſt the room, declaring “Tis is disgusting.” Tose students needed care aſter- wards. I needed care. Trauma is cumulative. Every instance of homo/bi/transphobia we ex- perience triggers us back to others. While there’s a lot of talk about trauma-in- formed classrooms, I’m not convinced there’s
“AN INCREASINGLY LARGE PERCENTAGE OF THE STUDENT POPULATION IS 2SLGBTQ+. IN 2021, MY BOARD LAUNCHED A STUDENT CENSUS THAT FOUND THAT 4.4 PER CENT OF STUDENTS IN GRADES 4 TO 12 SELF- IDENTIFY AS A GENDER THAT DIFFERS FROM THEIR SEX ASSIGNED AT BIRTH AND 23.8 PER CENT OF STUDENTS IN GRADES 7 TO 12 SELF-IDENTIFY WITH A SEXUAL ORIENTATION THAT IS CONSIDERED PART OF THE 2SLGBTQ+ COMMUNITY.”
ELEMENTARY TEACHERS’ FEDERATION OF ONTARIO 15
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