Press Release from PCSS GSA

​The Porter Creek Secondary School's Gender and Sexuality Alliance Responds to Protest Against SOGI Policies and Affirms Commitment to Child Rights

The Porter Creek Gender and Sexuality Alliance on September 19, 2023

PCSS Rainbow Room, Whitehorse – The students of Porter Creek Secondary School's Gender and Sexuality Alliance (PCSS GSA), wish to address the upcoming protest scheduled for September 20th by parents opposing Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) policies and curriculum in schools. As students who have been at the forefront of advocating for the rights and well-being of 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, we are deeply concerned about the impact of this protest on our community.

The PCSS GSA was formed in 2019 in response to the urgent need for support and safety for 2SLGBTQIA+ students who felt marginalized and unsafe, both at home and at school. Many of these students had experienced discrimination, bullying, and even violence, leaving them feeling dehumanized. In response, we established the Yukon Territory's first Rainbow Room, recognizing that a safe and inclusive environment is essential for effective learning.

Our journey for equal rights began when we advocated for the modernization and full implementation of the Department of Education's Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity policy. The completion of phase 1 of this policy update in the 2023/24 school year marked a significant milestone in ensuring safer and more inclusive schools for all students.

We also joined forces with the F.H. Collins Secondary School GSA to successfully petition the territorial government to ban conversion therapy, a practice we view as torture. Bill No. 9, The Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Protection Act, was passed unanimously in 2020.

Our commitment to promoting the importance of respecting youth's unique identities and ensuring their safety in schools led us to propose Bill No. 304, which was passed into law in 2022. This landmark legislation mandates that 2SLGBTQIA+ youth in Yukon schools are supported with safe spaces, activities and organizations, marking a pivotal change for students like us.

The AIDS crisis and the lost generation it tragically claimed within the 2SLGBTQIA+ community underscore the critical importance of SOGI inclusion in policy and curriculum in schools. This devastating chapter in history serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of discrimination, stigmatization, and a lack of education around sexual health. Including SOGI topics in education not only honors the memory of those lost but also ensures that future generations have access to comprehensive, inclusive knowledge that can prevent further suffering and discrimination. Parents who protest SOGI education often unknowingly perpetuate the same barriers to understanding and empathy that contributed to the AIDS crisis, emphasizing the need for compassionate and informed dialogue to promote a more inclusive and accepting society.

In addition to the pressing issues surrounding SOGI policies and curriculum, it's essential to acknowledge the alarming suicide rates among marginalized youth, particularly 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals. Studies have shown that these young people face a significantly higher risk of suicidal ideation and attempts due to the discrimination, bullying, and lack of acceptance they often encounter. Addressing these disparities in mental health and well-being is an integral part of our mission to create safer and more inclusive schools for all students. We believe that promoting understanding, empathy, and support for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth is not just a matter of policy but a matter of life and death.

We invite our local leaders in politics, religion, and other organizations to speak out against intolerance and ensure that our hard-won protections continue to save the lives of rainbow youth.

In response to the protest, the PCSS GSA will attend Child Rights Impact Assessment (CRIA) Training at the invitation of Yukon' Child and Youth Advocate Office (YCAO) and Communities Building Youth Futures (CBYF) Yukon. We will work with government, First Nations, and private organizations to ensure that children's perspectives are included in policymaking, aligning with the principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which was ratified by the Government of Canada in 1991.  The CRC emphasizes the rights of all children to be treated without discrimination and to receive an education that promotes tolerance, respect for diversity, and human rights. 
 
We want to express our gratitude to our community members and allies for their unwavering support. Your presence today is a testament to the importance of standing up against adversity and discrimination. We thank Queer Yukon for its support of our group and the Two-Spirit, Trans, and Queer community at large.

We also extend our appreciation to those who have visited and supported the Rainbow Room, the PCSS Administration and staff for their ongoing support, educators from around the territory, and the Department of Education for increasing its focus on SOGI issues.

As youth leaders, we are aware of the growing polarization in the national dialogue surrounding 2SLGBTQIA+ rights. We call on all of you to rise up and speak out because, as we know, lives are at stake. We are committed to drowning out ignorance and hate with knowledge and understanding.

To those who are planning to protest against SOGI policies, we know that change can be hard. We've been in a place where it felt like the world was against us. But we found strength in each other, in our GSA, and in our shared belief that everyone deserves safety and acceptance. We transformed our own lives by advocating for change in our schools and our territory. Our journey wasn't easy, but it proved that coming together, fostering understanding, and embracing diversity can create positive change. Our story is a testament to the power of love, acceptance, and unity.

We want you to know that what we're advocating for is not a threat, but an opportunity for growth and progress. We're here to say that, from our perspective, the policies we're championing are the right path. They're the path to safer, more inclusive schools where every child can thrive without fear. We invite you to reconsider and join us in creating a brighter future for all children. Let's prove that love and acceptance can triumph over fear and prejudice.

Silence = Death

Students of the PCSS GSA