Some Ottawa parents keep kids home from school due to Pride activities, OCDSB says
As the rainbow flag flew at schools across Ottawa on Thursday, the public school board says some parents kept their children home from school due to possible Pride activities.
Pride month kicked off in Ottawa and around the world on Thursday, a celebration of inclusion, individuality and solidarity with the LGBTQ2+ communities.
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and Ottawa Catholic School Board say the Pride flag will fly at all schools and the board offices this month.
On Thursday, Ottawa's public school board reported nine of its schools had absent rates over 40 per cent, with two schools exceeding 60 per cent.
A board spokesperson tells CTV News Ottawa some parents indicated their child would be absent from class due to the possibility of Pride activities.
"Where parents provided information for absences, there were some that kept their children home due to the heat warning in effect. There were also schools with higher absence rates where parents indicated they did not wish to send their children to school due to Pride activities that may be taking place," the OCDSB said.
"We continue our work to ensure that our schools are safe, welcoming, and inclusive learning spaces for all students and staff.”
As the rainbow flag flew at Ottawa Catholic schools on Thursday, Reese Walker felt a sense of community, looking at the many colours of identity the flag represents.
"I think it’s just amazing that so many people at my school are being represented," Walker, a 17-year-old student, said.
"It makes a whole lot of peoples feel included at our school and we have a lot of people of so many identities."
At a York Region high school on Thursday, protesters gathered to denounce the York District Catholic School Board's decision not to fly the Pride flag. Earlier this week, YDCSB Trustees voted 6 to 4 against flying the Pride flag, with the board's chair saying two archbishops had advised against it because it "doesn’t align with our Catholic values."
"I’m glad this is not happening in Ottawa, absolutely, but something has to shift and unfortunately it’s shifting in the wrong direction and it’s very polarized and I really worry about our kids right now," says Angela Prescott, who strongly supports LGBTQ2+ rights.
"This type of ideology that would say certain identities don’t have the right to exist and aren’t allowed to feel safe and celebrated and love. School is a place that needs to be safe for these kids.
"Pride to me is a time when we can acknowledge how hard it is to feel loved for who you are and to feel like it's OK to be who you are. In Pride Month, it’s celebrated and it’s a time to be excited about that and it’s not about accepting, it’s about celebrating and really appreciating that."
At Black Squirrel Books & Espresso Bar, the goal has always been to create a warm and welcoming space for everyone.
"Where we really can celebrate our differences, which is our strengths and be proud of how far we’ve come,” co-owner Steve Yong says.
The shop has an inventory of more than 60,000 books, both new and used, along with a significant amount of literature that exemplifies Pride.
"It’s really great to see the response the community has for new ideas and new perspectives," Yong says. "Even over 20 years there is a lot more openness about people's experiences that are different from the 'mainstream,' and here there is a lot of opportunity to study.”
For Walker, through equity groups and clubs at their high school, like HUGS, Humans Understanding Gender and Sexuality, they and others in the LGBTQ2+ community along with allies, they will continue to advocate, raise awareness and build inclusion.
"I feel that we’re doing a lot for people and promoting a student voice, I’m definitely optimistic," Walker says. "There’s always going to be some people who don’t agree or who have different views in general and I think one day we’ll get to a day where everyone can be included at all schools."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'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.