Kenney’s stance on outing kids in GSAs has some excited, some worried

By Tim Kalinowski on November 1, 2017.

tkalinowski@medicinehatnews.com @MHNTimKal

The election of Jason Kenney to the United Conservative Party leadership position has added more weight to stances he took in his campaign about requiring schools to inform parents when their kids join Gay-Straight Alliances.

Gerry Prince of Concerned Parents of SD76, a local group that endorses Kenney’s views, said he is encouraged by Kenney’s election to UCP party leadership. Prince said Kenney is simply standing up for parental rights in society.

“I would absolutely agree with Mr. Kenney’s view (on informing parents about kids joining GSAs),” said Prince. “Parents are responsible for everything their kids do, and need to be included in everything their kids do.”

“I think a lot of people are forgetting kids have rights too,” disagreed Rebecca Oulette of the Medicine Hat Pride Association. “Everyone comes out in their own time. We already know there is a lot of bullying and depression and suicide from youth not being allowed to be themselves.

“Most of the time kids are able to talk to their parents, but when they are not, they need a safe place. And that’s what these GSAs are.”

Former school board chair Terry Riley also feels Kenney is out of line and out of touch with his thinking when it comes to GSAs and parental choice.

“I do know that if the process Mr. Kenney advises is followed, kids will be damaged,” said Riley, drawing on his own experience as an educator. “Ninety-nine per cent of kids, once you speak to them, and they talk to you about their problem, and you say: You know, it would be a lot easier to help you with your problem if we can involve your family. Because, ultimately, it takes all of us working together to solve it. If we take that approach 99 per cent of kids will say yes, that makes sense. And thank you for your help. But if the kid insists that if my dad finds out he will beat the sh*t out of me, or he will throw me out of the house… or whatever he might do. In this day and age, you might even be exposing kids to honour killings. I don’t know why people can’t figure this out.”

Prince said no one is suggesting, including Mr. Kenney, that at-risk kids should not be protected under such exceptional circumstances.

“In that extreme minority that there is some parent they would be concerned about having a bad reaction, or not acting within the best interests of the child, then the school should use some judgment on that,” he said. “But you don’t make laws where there are exceptions, you make laws for the majority.”

Oulette said it might not be Kenney’s intent to cause harm, but she feels strongly that will be the result if Kenney’s stance one day becomes the policy of the Government of Alberta.

“I think Jason Kenney has made it clear he is not a friend of the LGBTQ community,” stated Oulette, “and we have concerns about the way he feels about GSAs. GSAs are safe places for vulnerable kids, and I think it is important that they have a safe place and they don’t get outed to their parents when it’s going to be an unsafe situation.”

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