BY: KEITH ANDRE BAYBAYON
On May 7th, 2021, the TCDSB Board of Trustees during a Student Achievement Meeting made a set of momentous decisions to promote inclusion and belonging for its 2SLGBTQ+ Students and Staff. They have voted in favour of three recommendations brought forth by their 2SLGBTQ+ Advisory Committee, to acknowledge June as Pride Month, fly the Pride Flag at the Catholic Education Center and fly the flag at all TCDSB Schools.
Prior to the decision being made, two political figures attended the Meeting — Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam and MPP Kathleen Wynne. They both urged the TCDSB to follow suit with other Catholic Boards, such as Waterloo and Thunderbay to stand alongside their 2SLGBTQ+ Students and voice their concerns.
This conversation of acknowledging Pride at the TCDSB has been ongoing for years, dating back to even 20 years ago. The Board itself has been taking small steps in the right direction throughout this school year, with the creation of the first-ever 2SLGBTQ+ Advisory Committee and the implementation of LGBT Mental Health Resources on their board website.
The 2SLGBTQ+ Advisory Committee acknowledged the work that needed to be done for the students and staff of the TCDSB. They worked on a 2SLGBTQ+ Report outlining the recommendations from above in hopes that the Board of Trustees will see their advocacy and push upon it. Through their diligent advocacy along with the many allied Trustees, the recommendations were all passed.
This is only the beginning, as the recommendations merely set the momentum for the future. Numerous initiatives and projects are even being led by the LGBTQ+ Student Committee at the TCDSB’s Student Senate, to voice the concerns of the community and uplift Pride Month at all TCDSB Schools.
If this good news weren’t enough, three other Catholic Boards followed with TCDSB’s work in fighting for its 2SLGBTQ+ Community — Durham, Ottawa and Niagara. It is clear to see the impact the TCDSB’s decisions made on the 2SLGBTQ+ Community, and we expect to see more Catholic Boards following through in the near future.
Change takes a great deal of effort and time, but it can be accomplished.