Pride flags are flying at New Westminster schools for the month of June.
School District 40 has launched Pride season by flying Pride flags at every school and district site, and the flags will remain up for the month.
“As a board of education, it feels especially important and timely today to reaffirm our support for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community here in New Westminster — as we see the rights and well-being of the community impacted by issues like the so-called ‘Don’t say gay’ law that was introduced in Florida last year, or the rise of protests that public libraries in Canada have recently faced around drag queen storytimes,” said the SD40 board in a statement. “These actions, of a limited group of people, are specifically targeting educational efforts to build on human rights, diversity and the efforts to develop the core values of kindness, understanding and empathy in kids.”
The board’s statement said the district is “deeply committed” to removing barriers and building on diversity, equity and inclusion in all its forms.
“Every student should feel fully supported to be whoever they are. Every family should feel equally welcome to walk into our schools. And every staff member should feel that same level of support,” it said.
The month of June will also see schools celebrating Pride in various ways, with activities and conversations scaled to the age of the students.
You can find the full text of the board’s statement here.
Follow Julie MacLellan on Twitter @juliemaclellan.
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