CBE will follow law, but no plans to change GSA policy of keeping participation private

As PC Leader Jason Kenney continues to take criticism over his plans to change gay-straight alliances policies in Alberta schools, the chair of the largest school board in the province says they are not moving in that direction.

Calgary Board of Education Chair Joy Bowen-Eyre said Tuesday they’ll always follow the law, but aren’t looking into such proposals.

“Under any of our extra-curricular programs that we offer in any of our clubs, there is no intention to inform parents,” she said. “No plans whatsoever to change that.”

In a meeting with the Postmedia editorial board late last month while discussing GSAs, Kenney said generally speaking that parents have a right to know what their kids are doing unless there’s evidence that they’re abusive.

Kenney has been slammed by the NDP and other advocates for the position, accusing him of essentially trying to out students.

He later posted a statement on Twitter denying the allegation.

“I have never said this, nor do I believe it,” he said, adding he also does not support repealing Bill 10.

“When dealing with complex issues like gender and sexual identity, I believe our education system should recognize that every child, and every circumstance, is unique. In some cases informing parents would clearly be inappropriate.”

Kenney said he trusts school officials to exercise their judgement, presuming most parents are loving and caring.

“The law should neither force schools to release information to parents, nor should it create an adversarial relationship between parents and their children,” he said.

Bowen-Eyre said under their guidelines, GSAs in CBE schools have been doing exceptionally well.

“The benefit of a GSA is it not only protects the LGBTQ students who attend, but it also benefits all students,” she said. “There’s research that demonstrates, to prove, that it reduces suicide amongst all students within the student body, because it’s a place to go where students feel comfortable.”

Wildrose Leader Brian Jean on Monday said parents are already notified if sexuality issues are taught in class and that GSAs should remain a peer group.

“It’s much like a math club or a prayer club, and I don’t think that would be appropriate,” Jean said.

The controversy has gotten some international attention too, with singer K.D. Lang asking on Twitter if Kenney was gay himself and Boy George tweeting “Gay obsessed straight people! #Creepy” with a link to the story.

With files from the Canadian Press.