Press Release
Statement of the British Columbia Muslim Association regarding Policy #5.45 of
The Burnaby School district – homophobia/heterosexism
The communities of British Columbia are fortunate to live in a system that ensures equal rights and opportunities for members of all races, religious denominations and sexual orientations. The laws and policies implemented at all levels of government and education allow and encourage people of any ethnicity or orientation to integrate and feel part and parcel of society at large. Citizens from all walks of life are fully protected from any form of discrimination or abuse by incontrovertible laws and regulations. There are legal provisions for the reprehension of those breeching these laws. In light of these many provisions, we feel that the LBTQ+ community is as safe and protected as any ethnic or religious assembly. Sexual orientation (or gender identity) is based on personal choice and we fully support equal rights and opportunities, as well as legal security and safety for members of the LBTQ+ community. However we feel that receiving education about the details of this lifestyle should be left up to the individual choice of students and parents, just as gender identities and sexual orientations themselves are matters of personal choice. Just as it is not a mandate of the Board of Education to educate the general student body about all religious beliefs and practices, it is not within the scope of the Board to introduce policies necessitating education about gender identities and sexual orientations. If the need to educate people regarding this matter is genuinely felt by the proponents of these policies, then such arrangements should be made out of the cadre of public education, whether it is in the form of counselling, seminars or other means.
The BCMA, and the all the parents of children studying in the public school system, with due cognizance of the current public school environment, strongly disagree with the motion for introducing the suggested policies, and all administrative regulations related thereto.
We stress that any events revolving around harassment, discrimination should be dealt with to the fullest extent of the law. The School Board should continue to stress the constitutional necessity for tolerance and respect for members of all communities, and continue its zero-tolerance policy towards behaviour that contradicts constitutional rights.
We strongly disapprove of and oppose the suggestion of having our children subject to the education suggested in Policy 5.45, as well as any proposed modifications to the curriculum, educational themes, learning environment or resources. We deem this to be unnecessary and irrelevant to the education we would like our children to receive in public schools.
For additional information, contact:
Director of Religion and Islamic Education