The face of a GSA in a Catholic high school raises concerns

Fr. Michael J. McGivney

For parents who are concerned about Gay/Straight Alliances starting up in Catholic schools, their worries are justified. Especially now that current Liberal government plans to introduce its radical sex education curriculum for the school year 2015-16. Just a week ago I attended a presentation sponsored by the Toronto District School Board, Humber River Hospital and the Griffin Centre. It was held at the Keele Site. We were there for some of the talks.

It was the 6th Annual Seminar Series on the topic of "Working Together Across Systems: Sex and sexuality In the Early Years." The talks were held on three successive Thursdays: beginning with January 29, the second on February 5 and the final one on the 12th.

On the last evening, there were three talks. The first one was given by detective Michelle Bond on "Social Media" and its responsible use. The next presentation was by Jeremy Dias who spoke on the topic of "Promoting Diversity and Ending Discrimination." The full objective of what he does can be found on the Jer's Vision website. It states: "We work to eliminate bullying, homophobia, transphobia, and other forms of discrimination in schools and youth communities." Furthermore, the goal is to get "middle school and high school students to be leaders in their school communities on LGBTQ+ issues, diversity, anti-bullying, anti-oppression, and sexual health."

The last presentation was from a group led by Danny DiLallo, a teacher at Fr. Michael McGivney Catholic High School with the York Catholic District School Board. The student group represented by six girls was the school's Gay/Straight Alliance, GSA.  (more...)

The face of a GSA in a Catholic high school raises concerns