LGBTQ2S+ advocates raise concerns about Ottawa school trustee candidates
Standing in front of Robert E. Wilson Public School in Ottawa, Shannon Boschy did not mince words.
"Biology exists. We are sexually dimorphic, we are either male or female biologically, but we are teaching in schools that that’s not the case; that we make up gender and that’s extremely damaging," Boschy said.
"The belief that boys can become girls and girls can become boys is not a belief shared by the majority of society," Boschy added.
Boschy, an Ottawa Carleton District School Board Trustee candidate for Zone 6, is one of two candidates being criticized by LGBTQ2S+ advocates for alleged transphobic remarks on social media.
The other candidate receiving backlash for her tweets is Chanel Pfahl, an OCDSB Trustee Candidate in Zone 8.
Both candidates frequently speak out against gender-affirming medical care, such as puberty blockers and transition surgery.
"These views are harmful on adults who are transgender. I can’t imagine the impact that will have on OCDSB students who are trans," Christian Wright, the lead coordinator of Rainbow Ottawa said.
Both Pfahl and Boschy tell CTV News Ottawa they do not believe gender identity should be taught in Ottawa schools.
In an emailed statement, Pfahl wrote, "'gender identity' is a pseudoscientific concept which harms kids — especially the gender non conforming kids with some level of gender dysphoria, who are most susceptible to it."
But transgender activists say teaching gender identity and creating safe spaces for students is crucial to their wellbeing.
"Transgender youth need affirmation, they need love, and they need care to be successful; to be happy," they added.
The concerns come as a major American hospital says it is facing online attacks for providing gender-affirming care.
Boston Children's Hospital says it has faced a "large volume" of threats of violence for offering that kind of care.
Boschy has previously tweeted questioning the care the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario provides to children with gender dysphoria.
Health experts refute the criticism, saying children with gender dysphoria are at a greater risk for mental health complications, like suicide and depression; adding the care they provide is vital.
"We can make the lives of these kids and the families by giving them the care they need, other people can mind their business. It’s not their kid," Dr. Jason Brophy, an Infectious Diseases Physician at CHEO said.
"We should be talking about these topics in school, it doesn’t make sense to say that we shouldn’t, because the harms that are being talked about aren’t there, but the harms of not talking about it are," Brophy added.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre will do 'anything to win,' must condemn Alex Jones endorsement: Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is ramping up his attacks on Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre as he promotes his government's federal budget.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
New evidence challenges the Pentagon's account of a horrific attack as the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan: CNN exclusive
New video evidence uncovered by CNN significantly undermines two Pentagon investigations into an ISIS-K suicide attack outside Kabul airport, during the American withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
All Alberta wildfires to date in 2024 believed to be human-caused: province
There are 63 wildfires burning in Alberta's forest protection area as of Wednesday morning and seven mutual aid fires, including one in the Municipal District of Peace.
Video shows suspects waving weapons, smashing glass in Toronto jewelry store robbery
Arrests have been made after five men were captured on video rampaging through a jewelry store in Toronto, waving weapons and smashing glass display cases.
Pilot proposes to flight attendant girlfriend in front of passengers
A Polish pilot proposed to his flight attendant girlfriend during a flight from Warsaw to Krakow, and she said yes.
Ottawa injects another $36M into fund for those seriously injured or killed by vaccines
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Ex-SNC executive sentenced to prison term in bridge bribery case
The RCMP says a former SNC-Lavalin executive has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison in connection with a bribery scheme for a bridge repair contract in Montreal.