that demonstrate your steadfast support, not only when it’s a fun party, but also when it’s a painful slog. Tere’s irony in the fact that pro- testers claim they’re trying to protect children, but they’re the ones that 2SLGBTQ+ children need protection from. Pushback only rein- forces why the work is needed. Te language of parental rights is also be-
ing used to target the rainbow community. Tis is a blatant dog whistle for anti-trans sen- timent in particular. Children have the right to determine their own identities and schools are oſten the only place where they feel safe enough to share their unfurling understand- ing of themselves. Te queer community has a distinctive experience of growing up with- out role models. Sadly, our parents and our faith communities are sometimes our worst oppressors. So while a racialized child can usually look to their parents for role models of how to navigate a racist world, and a child of faith can turn to their religion for solace in times of struggle, 2SLGBTQ+ people don’t always have a place to turn. Even if our par- ents are fully supportive, they don’t necessar- ily know how to walk through the world with a rainbow identity. And even if our particu- lar faith community is supportive, chances are there are plenty of others who claim that same religious identity who are not. So 2SLGBTQ+ people have to find “chosen fam- ily” and other role models. Teachers oſten play this pivotal role in rainbow children’s lives by modelling acceptance of everyone. Most of the trans students I’ve taught have shared how their parents don’t understand, don’t approve, or are struggling to accept their identity. It’s painful to watch their struggle, but as caring adults “in loco parentis,” we can hold space for their self-exploration, affirm their right to be themselves, and honour their courage in the process of self-discovery. Te time for silence or uncertainty is long
past. Te 2SLGBTQ+ students, families and staff in your building need you right now, argu- ably more than ever. As hatred is ramping up and becoming louder, our collective support and respect for human diversity must become louder too. We need to hold the line together as teachers, standing up for some of our most vulnerable students. As Martin Luther King Jr. put it, “Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” Public education is for everyone. 2SLGBTQ+ youth need us to stand with them, to stand up for them, to show that we mean it when we say that we all belong. n
Melissa Sky is a member of Waterloo Region Teacher Local.
ELEMENTARY TEACHERS’ FEDERATION OF ONTARIO 19
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