VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - There are anti-bullying policies in place to stop discrimination based on race, gender and religion. But the Burnaby School Board's plan to include gay and lesbian students is not sitting well with all parents.
A rally was held last night to demonstrate their concerns. They say the new policy marginalizes heterosexuality and they were not told about this proposal until now. Some students, though, say this type of anti-bullying policy is necessary.
"People who are against it don't even go to school. We are the students who are being educated and we want to be educated in this," says one student, who formed part of a counter protest.
Board chair Larry Hayes says he will do what he thinks is right. "Whether there are five people protesting or 1,000 people protesting, I just think it is the correct thing to do for our district. At the end, I think I am going to be comfortable in being able to sleep at night, thinking we have done the right thing."
"We're basically following the lead of 13 other school districts. We want to be proactive and make sure we address things like gay slurs and bullying against someone who may be of a different sexual orientation," adds Hayes.
No decisions have yet been made on whether to approve the draft.