Anti-LGBTQIA+ protesters disrupt school board meeting in Mississauga

Protesters disrupted a school board meeting this week, angered over a Two Spirit and LGBTQIA+ Action Plan.

The Two Spirit and LGBTQIA+ Action Plan was passed at the Peel District School Board meeting on Wednesday (Sept. 27) but not before loud objections.

The action plan aims “to dismantle homophobia, transphobia, biphobia, and other forms of oppression created by cis heteronormativity within the education system to ensure that Two Spirit & LGBTQIA+ students and staff can be their authentic selves in a safe and supportive environment.”

There are several actions in the document.

Some of the actions include reviewing “school facilities to consider a plan to provide access for staff and students to non-gendered washrooms”; ensuring “personal names and pronouns are used on documentation and align with board”; and “intentionally integrating intersectional Two-Spirit and LGBTQIA+ identities, contributions and issues in all K-12 curriculum areas, in both English and French.”

The full action plan can be found here.

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Trustee for Mississauga Wards 9 and 10 Jeff Clark asked if a letter had gone out to inform parents about the action plan.

Meeting chair and trustee for Brampton Wards 1 and 5, David Green, said this is just to pass the action plan, and indicated a letter may be sent later once the work begins.

Several people yelled and raised signs. Green attempted to keep order.

“I am going to ask you to be quiet,” said Green.

Green promised to stay back and answer questions from the audience. But people shouted and screamed again.

Green said they respect different viewpoints but he was obligated to follow the meeting process. He indicated the audience members were being disrespectful.

“I am saying to you, let us respect each other,” said “We will listen to you…your voice is important.”

He added their concerns will be documented.

Brampton Wards 2 and 6 Trustee Will Davies asked if community was involved in creating the plan. He noted the large group gathered.

“We’re they involved in doing this policy?” said Davies.

Staff said they engaged with members of the community most negatively impacted. It’s a living document and there will be opportunities to add and expand on it, staff indicated.

Davies suggested staff get audience members’ contact information so they provide input.

He then suggested they defer the action plan approval to a future meeting. There were cheers and applause but in the end only two trustees voted in favour of moving it to a future meeting.

The action plan was then passed.

Several people started to shout no. Green attempted to continue to meeting but the crowd began to chant “Save our youth.”

There weren’t many items left on the agenda and the meeting was adjourned.

The full meeting can be viewed here.