LGBTQ 'Rally Against Bigotry' protests Saskatoon Catholic schools directive to keep kids from Rainbow Tent
Superintendent apologizes for email about keeping students away from Rainbow Tent at children’s festival
Approximately 200 demonstrators gathered outside the Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools (GSCS) board building Thursday afternoon to protest a directive sent by the superintendent of education that asked teachers to avoid the Rainbow Tent at a local children's festival.
The GSCS has faced significant backlash from the LGBTQ community and its supporters this week after a copy of the email directive superintendent Tom Hickey sent to principals in May was leaked. Those that attended the rally called for an in-person apology from the school division as well as a promise for more inclusivity.
The Nutrien Children's Festival, which runs from June 1 to 4 at Kinsmen Park, features a Rainbow Tent with programming "from Drag Queen Storytime to inclusive dress up performances filled with colour and fun," according to the event's website.
"I think what happened with the Catholic school board was completely unacceptable," Jamey Hughton, a demonstrator at the 'Rally Against Bigotry' said.
"I think we all need to be allies. Gay people exist, trans people exist and we need to support them. We need them to know that they are supported. And that includes young people. Especially young people."
OUTSaskatoon, the Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation and CUPE have all come out against the GSCS's opposition to the Rainbow Tent since the email leak.
The rally included members of the LGBTQ community, as well as allies.
"A lot of people do look down on our pride ... and our spirit, and I just don't think it's right to just be quiet and stand alone. So I'm out here in the rain with all my family and friends to be here and support," said Honey Constant-Inglis, who was among the demonstrators at the rally.
Hickey, who sent the directive to principals to pass onto educators and chaperones, spoke to the demonstrators, while some heckled him.
He said he has received hundreds of emails and messages in response to the directive, and he apologized to the onlookers.
"We love you," Hickey said.
"Trust has been broken. That's fair. There's lots of you that are angry and I'm looking forward to continuing to meet with people and to connect with people."
He said the division promises to commit to the practice of both professional learning for staff and how to support students inclusively.
"Deep hurt"
In his email, Hickey wrote to principals that "engagement and participation by our students in that particular offering would not be supported" because of the description on the festival website.
After the email was leaked, the board's Director of Education François Rivard sent out an email that apologized for the "deep hurt" it caused.
"We recognize the internal email has been viewed by some as one of judgment, hate and exclusion. That was never the intent, nor does that view represent our division's beliefs," it said.
"It's a lot more than the words of this email. It shows deeper roots of bigotry and misinformation, queerphobia, that are in the school division," said Andrea Gursky, a queer woman and a contracted educational assistant with the Saskatoon Catholic school board.
She said there are others in the school who share her opinion, but some didn't feel right showing up to a protest. Gursky encouraged everyone to attend.
"Showing up to this protest, writing letters to the board calling for change — those action steps are needed."
The GSCS board building was vandalized with colourful stickers and paint in the days after the email was leaked.
Some educators speak out against leaked email
Gursky said that she wasn't surprised by the leaked email, but it was a "tipping point," and she won't be returning to the school next fall.
"We deserve to be who we are and no queer person should have their identity under attack," she said.
Patti Rowley, who was raised Catholic and became an advocate for LGBTQ students during her career as a teacher, told CBC on Wednesday that she feels the recent directive from the GSCS moves back decades of progress. She wrote a letter to Hickey outlining her concerns.
"His directive is not only harmful, it's also hurtful and dangerous," Rowley said, adding she asked him to reconsider and retract it.
While the GSCS put out an apology email following the leak, many, including Rowley, think that isn't enough
"They've talked the talk by issuing this apology email, but they need to walk the walk. You can't just say: 'We're sorry, we didn't intend to be judgmental or hurtful.' They need to show it in actions."
Rowley hasn't received a response from the superintendent yet.
Kit Bell, a teacher for Saskatoon Public Schools and a lesbian, said she was "incredibly disappointed" with the email and sent a letter to the Catholic school board.
"As teachers and educators and people in positions of power and role models for students, we need to stand up for who they are as kids," said Kit Bell.
"As a child that knew I was queer from Grade 4, I wished that I had opportunities like [the Rainbow Tent] to go to something that's fun and full of light, and able to see myself represented in the community."
School board chair and Minister of Education respond
Bell's email included GSCS board chair Diane Boyko, who said at a news conference on Thursday afternoon that its the division's job to ensure students feel safe and valued.
The rally was an opportunity for people to express themselves, Boyko said, adding the directive was a result of feedback from parents and that she stands by it.
Saskatchewan Education Minister Dustin Duncan said he agrees with and supports the school board's decision.
"I think ensuring that parents have that ability to have those conversations at the appropriate time in the appropriate place ... is something that I agree with," he said.
"I don't think anybody is saying 'don't take your children.' I think it's just a matter of as a part of a school trip that it wasn't something that was being advised."
Duncan was asked several times to specify what aspects of the tent are concerning, but wouldn't.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon declined interview requests from the CBC this week.
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With files from Kendall Latimer, Jason Warick and Blue Sky