Gay-straight alliance request would be allowed, Calgary Christian school principal says
Official at Heritage Christian Academy in Calgary says bible teaches tolerance, inclusivity
An administrator at a Christian school in Calgary believes the issue of gay-straight alliances (GSAs) is actually quite straightforward.
- Gay-straight alliance bill needs some work, says Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi
- Gay-straight alliance bill put on hold, says Alberta Premier Jim Prentice
Ryan Brennan, principal of the Heritage Christian Academy, said he would be completely supportive if any of his students wanted to create one.
As a teacher I want my kids to feel safe. And if this is what it takes, this is what it takes- Ryan Brennan
“As a teacher I want kids in my school to feel safe. And if this is what it takes, this is what it takes,” he said.
“So we need to be quick not to judge people and to love people and at the end of the day these are kids we're talking about, and we need to make sure that they are in a safe environment so they can talk about these things and be supported.”
Bill 10 on hold
Alberta Premier Jim Prentice announced Thursday his government was putting Bill 10, the controversial proposal for dealing with GSAs, on hold.
The bill came under fire for not making it mandatory for school boards to allow GSAs when requested by a student, instead leaving it up to students to seek legal action if their request for a GSA is denied.
Bill 10 also proposed to explicitly enshrine the right not to be discriminated against on the basis of sexual orientation in the Alberta Bill of Rights.
It would also have repealed Section 11.1 of the Human Rights Act, the section that compels schools to notify parents whenever religion, sexuality or sexual orientation are discussed in the classroom.
In response to widespread opposition, the Tories introduced an amendment stating the education minister would intervene if a school board refused to allow a GSA, .
Amendment criticized
But critics said the amendment could make matters worse by segregating gay students and in some cases moving their support groups out of schools entirely.
Brennan said while his openness to GSAs might seem to go against scripture, he sees the issue differently.
“I think of John, Chapter 8, Verse 7, where Jesus faced a mob preparing to stone a woman and he said, ‘He who is without sin among you, let them be the first to throw a stone at her.’”
Brennan says although there are some passages in the Bible that condemn homosexuality, there are many others that promote tolerance and inclusivity.
Several students at the Calgary Christian School in southwest Calgary also told CBC News they believed their school officials would likely allow the formation of a GSA if one were requested.