By Lara Fominoff @LaraFominoff on Twitter

Hundreds attend Lethbridge rally in support of GSAs and QSAs

Apr 9, 2019 | 9:06 PM

LETHBRIDGE –  Not only were there local activists, teachers, and politicians – but children, teens and parents, who came and rallied on the steps of Lethbridge City Hall Tuesday evening, in support of raising awareness of, and to protect GSAs (Gay-Straight Alliances) and QSAs (Queer-Straight Alliances) in Alberta Schools. 

GSAs are student-run groups in middle schools, high schools, colleges and universities that are supported by teachers and other administration. Their purpose is to create a safe, welcoming environment for those who identify as LGBTQ+  and their allies.

In November, 2017, the provincial government introduced new legislation that clarifies the roles and responsibilities of school authorities and principals around supporting GSAs and QSAs. The “Act to Support Gay-Straight Alliances” indicates the parental notification around courses of study, educational programs or instructional materials does not apply to student organizations or activities, including GSAs and QSAs. 

UCP Leader Jason Kenney has said that while he supports the groups, using the “blunt instrument of of the law to tell a teacher that under no circumstances can they communicate with parents is not a moderate approach.” He added, teachers and principles should make a decision on a case-by-case basis, depending on the best interests of the child. 

Local organizers say the Lethbridge rally was inspired by successful rallies in Edmonton and Calgary held in March. It has since grown to include partner rallies in Medicine Hat and Red Deer as well. Organizers of each rally say they will continue to fight for the rights of kids who need and rely on the supportive groups. 

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According to supporters, the groups are “vital spaces for kids to learn and to grow, while creating a non-judgemental community.” And for many children and teens, it may be the only accepting space they experience until they reach adulthood. 

High School teacher Stephanie Desrochers, who was one of the featured speakers, says children’s lives are not up for debate.

“GSAs save lives. LGBTQ youth experience rates of suicide, depression and anxiety at rates that far outstrip their peers and when they have supportive environments like GSAs, those rates disappear. GSAs are incredibly important. They save lives.

“I was picked on all through school for being different. I think I was identified as being queer, but I didn’t know or understand my own queerness until much later on. I’m just happy to be here for the kids.”

A student named Christina, who attended the rally, says it’s a personal issue for her because she grew up in a very small town where it wouldn’t necessarily have been unsafe to come out, but it would have been very “unfriendly.”

“I don’t think that any kids need to go through that now. So, it’s really important to me just for kids to see that there are people who support them and even if nothing comes of it but this rally tonight, at least there are this many people here that kids in the city know, hey – this  many people support you.”

Brittaney Taylor,  a mother of two young children, said she was excited to take part.

“I think it’s very important that our children get in on this at a very young age. And it’s a great cause. This is their education and their future and their safety that we potentially have on the line here now, so I feel very passionately about that.”

And she, like many others, say that if children feel safe at home, and comfortable sharing the information with their parents, they may tell them about their involvement in a Gay-Straight Alliance group. If they don’t, perhaps they don’t feel comfortable or safe doing so, and that is the purpose of the GSAs. 

“I”m sure that we save lives that way.”

According to organizers, the rally was held April 9, the first day of advance polling during the provincial election campaign to send a message that the importance of GSAs and QSAs are not only an election issue, but an issue of basic human rights.