SOGI in schools
SOGI in schools
Question: How do you discuss sexual orientation and gender identity in your classroom?
00:00:05
That's a really great question and actually, it's one that in 2024 we don't really have to discuss it anymore. Our students are coming into the university level with an understanding of what sexuality and gender is. What my students want to be called or what they would like their name to be, that is just a discussion that we have. And so, I think it really has to do with coming through it with life skills the appreciation that others walk through life in a different way than maybe our students on the left and the right side of us. So again, when I'm using my pronouns, when I introduce myself, I'll say hi, my name is Jo, my pronouns are she/her. That usually is the way that I introduce gender and sexuality. I also use the word intersectionality a lot. We are all coming into this journey of education from many different backgrounds and gender and sexuality is one of those too. So again, appreciating that we are all meeting to learn this new content, to learn these new theories, but within an intersectional lens, that's really where I try to look at sexual and gender identity.
Question: What are some of the fears about SOGI-focused education that you've heard?
00:01:14
I've heard some pretty ridiculous fears, to be honest of SOGI education. I would like to put it into context of math. I am very fearful of math. When I took math back in elementary school, I thought I'd have to be doing this long division or not be able to use technology. That's an irrational fear and this the irrational fears that I hear around SOGI programming, such as learning different sexual maneuvers, turning our children gay or trans. These are irrational fears that have to be stopped and mitigated, especially at the education program.
Question: What is the purpose of teachings about SOGI, as you see it?
00:02:00
The purpose of teaching about SOGI is so that my two sons can be welcomed into a classroom that my two sons that have two lesbian moms can feel that they are a part of and are included in the community of the school system. So, appreciating what SOGI is teaching, whether or not it's from different types of families to different types of likes and dislikes that we can have, to the many different ways that we can walk through this life. That's the importance, I want my sons to be proud of who they are, proud of their family, that they come from and overall confident as they walk through this world.
Question: How have your personal experiences informed your views of SOGI?
00:02:40
I was there at the beginning. I was one of the ones that really saw the program coming through, really enjoyed what the BC government was doing by making this a program that was found in our public education system, and I really finally saw myself as valued member of the 2SLGBTQIA community. And so again, being able to see myself and see the other little ones that could have been me back in the day, feeling welcomed into, into their school community, feeling welcomed into being who they are. That's what I really enjoyed about the program, and it only gets stronger. There's always critical lens to it. Again, looking at intersectionality and how it could ebb and flow with. Also, the other social pieces of the world that's happening today. So again, this SOGI program is one that is strong. It's built from theory, it's built on great interviews, qualitative and quantitative research and it's also built on human rights. And I think that's the biggest part of SOGI. It's all about human rights.
Question: Is there anything else you'd like to share?
00:03:50
From someone that knew that from the small age of three years old that I was different to have a program like this going into kindergarten or Grade 1 or Grade 2 saying that it's okay to feel the way I feel. That would have saved me a lot of heartache, a lot of stress, a lot of guilt, a lot of pieces that have affected me today. And so, to allow this great program like SOGI, you're saving lives, at such a young age.