Sex-ed protesters plan to keep kids home from school Tuesday

Protesters are seen gathered in Thorncliffe Park Saturday to rally against Ontario's new
sex education curriculum, which will be rolled out this fall.

With teachers and administrators readying for the back-to-school grind next week, some parents say their children will be kept home on opening day to send a firm message to the Ontario government over the controversial new sex education curriculum.

Shouts of “Shame! Shame!” and “We say no!” were cried by protesters as they waved placards in Thorncliffe Park Saturday afternoon.

Premier Kathleen Wynne, whose government passed the divisive curriculum in the spring, visited a community barbecue nearby.

The new curriculum includes teachings on same-sex relationships, consent, online bullying and sexting. Students will also learn about masturbation, gender expression and contraception.

The changes to the Physical and Health Education curriculum were made as a way to bring Ontario up to speed with other provinces, according to education minister Liz Sandals. It is the first update to the curriculum in 17 years.

Gathered outside a Thorncliffe Park housing complex, the multicultural mix of parents and children banged drums and passed around a microphone to air their dissent. Several described the curriculum as “dirty.”  (more...)

Sex-ed protesters plan to keep kids home from school Tuesday