Advocacy in Ontario
CCGSD reaction to OCSB Board of Trustees 9-1 vote in favour of flying Pride flag at all OCSB institutions for the month of June.
May 26, 2021
In response to yesterday’s announcement that the Ottawa Catholic District School Board (OCSB) has voted in favour of raising the Pride flag at OSCB institutions, Debbie Owusu-Akyeeah, Executive Director of the Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity, said the following:
CCGSD welcomes the passing of the motion to fly the Pride flag yesterday evening at the Ottawa Catholic School Board meeting on May 25th, 2021. The passing of this motion comes after growing advocacy from student leaders, educators, community members, and parents/guardians/caregivers.
We know the work of creating affirming learning environments for all 2SLGBTQI+ students and educators is not over. CCGSD is committed to amplifying the voices of these leaders and supporting their continuous efforts to make schools safe for everyone.
Please read CCGSD’s appeal letter to all OCSB Trustees below:
The Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity (CCGSD) is a national 2SLGBTQ+ non-profit organization that works to empower 2SLGBTQ+ youth and communities through educational programming in schools across Canada. We are also guided by our motto “activism through education”.
We urge you to support the motion to raise the Pride flag at the Ottawa board’s Catholic Education Centre beginning this June and on a permanent basis and at board schools beginning next year. Raising this flag is an important move forward in showing support to 2SLGBTQ+ students and staff.
For 2SLGBTQ+ youth, school climates are often challenging and can negatively impact their health and well-being. All students, including 2SLGBTQ+ students, deserve to experience a positive school climate where they are safe, included, and supported so that they are able to realize their full potential.
As leaders, you have a responsibility to ensure a safer and affirming environment for all students and to model that 2SLGBTQ+ people are to be treated with dignity and respect. Flying the Pride flag demonstrates your commitment to students, staff, parents, caregivers, and community members that discrimination and harassment of any kind will not be tolerated.
The CCGSD recognizes that this motion is being presented as the result of student-and-staff-led advocacy. We encourage you to show solidarity and advocate alongside these individuals for a more inclusive, diverse, and equitable school climate where 2SLGBTQ+ students are empowered and celebrated.
Kind regards,
CCGSD
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For Information or to arrange an interview please contact:
Adri Bravo
Advocacy and Campaigns Coordinator
CCGSD
Debbie Owusu-Akyeeah
Executive Director
CCGSD
(613)-400-1875