Show Notes
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Today in Ontario, public schools are systematically uninviting presentations or performances about homophobia and transphobia, cancelling events for 2SLGBTQ+ students, and restricting the activities of related student groups; school staff are also enabling students to leave conversations and lessons about gender and sexual diversity, and changing practice to remove these topics from the classroom. These actions taken by school staff and administrators may place them at risk of legal exposure as they are clearly discriminatory; and yet, they are taken in good faith as an effort to comply with two recently issued Policy and Program Memoranda: PPM 162 (limited HPE exemption) and PPM 170 ("guest speaker exemption" and detailed advance notice requirement for guest speaker presentations or performances).
In this podcast episode, the guests share their research findings and experiences of working with educators across Ontario schools who find themselves in this predicament, as well as evidence from legal analysis of both PPMs and their reported impacts. The discussion aims to inform OPC members of the risks inherent in emerging practices that seek to follow either PPM, and equip members with the tools to protect themselves and their staff, open conversations within their school boards, and ensure that 2SLGBTQ+ students and families are not being subject to discrimination.
OUR GUEST Dr. Lee Airton (they/them) Ros Salvador (they/them) Tammy Shubat (she/her) BIOGRAPHIES
Dr. Lee Airton (they/them) is an Associate Professor of Gender and Sexuality Studies in Education at Queen's University. Lee works closely with teachers, teacher unions, teacher educators, education authorities, non-profit organizations and researchers to address teacher candidates’ gendered vulnerabilities, the induction and retention of transgender teachers, and challenges in developing gender identity/gender expression-related education policy. Most recently, Lee and colleagues released, “No for Now: Guidance for School Staff on Supporting Transgender Students and Parent-Child Relationships” (www.nofornow.ca) which is informing educator practice across Canada. Learn more about Lee at www.leeairton.com.
Ros Salvador, pronouns they/them, is a Black, queer, non-binary lawyer with fifteen years experience working to advance human rights and social justice. Ros’ human rights work related to the education system includes representing individuals in human rights litigation, as well as having worked as a human rights leader in the education system for five years where developing policy and training related to gender identity and sexual orientation rights in schools has been significant focus of Ros’ work.
Tammy Shubat (she/her) has worked in health promotion and education for more than 25 years, and specifically for the last 18+ years with Ophea, advancing health and well-being in Ontario schools. Currently in the Chief Strategy Officer role, Tammy aligns provincial and national partners, project opportunities, and strategic objectives for Ophea, and for the sector at large. With a practice in grounded in social justice and anti-oppressive approaches in education, Tammy is a proud member of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, an advocate, and a mum.
HOSTS Lindsay Diakiw - Professional Learning Consultant, Ontario Principals' Council Susie Lee-Fernandes – Director of Professional Learning, Ontario Principals’ Council Season 3 Episode 3 Transcript
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