Brody's Notes... Ontario's Legislative Assembly Passes Anti-Bullying Bill

Legislative Assembly Of Ontario

By Brody Levesque | TORONTO, ONTARIO, CA -- The Accepting Schools Act also known as Bill 13 passed through the Legislative Assembly of Ontario just before noon today by a margin of 65-36. The anti-bully measure was introduced by the Liberal Party led by Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty. The bill was opposed by Progressive Conservatives who voted against the legislation.

Anti-gay groups, Catholic educators and church leaders opposed the legislation because it requires all provincial schools including the parochial institutions their allow students to call anti-homophobia clubs gay-straight alliances. Opponents, in particular Toronto Archbishop Cardinal Thomas Collins, charge that this conflicts with Catholic teachings.

"Why are Catholics not free to design their own methods to fight bullying, and provide personal support to students, as long as they attain the common goal of a welcoming and supportive school?" he asked. 

"Why is a piece of provincial legislation being used to micromanage the naming of student clubs?" he said.

Premier Dalton McGuinty told CBC news that the issue of protecting kids from bullying transcends all faiths and partisan politics. He added Catholics would understand the true significance of the bill is to build a stronger, more cohesive society.

Education Minister Laurel Broten told CBC Radio One's Metro Morning on Monday that the names of clubs do matter.

"To many of our students, we know that the term 'gay-straight alliance' has great meaning, and that words matter, and that if you can't name something you can't address it," Broten said.

Progressive Conservative Party voting against the measure complained that the law comes up short and does not hold school officials accountable. PC political leaders also accused the Premier of using used this legislation to intentionally trigger a debate over the funding of Catholic schools that they believe Ontarians do not want to have.

Progressive Conservative Party Deputy Leader Christine Elliott also accused the premier of trying to make her party seem homophobic.

Opposition to the measure also came from a surprising source, the father of an Ottawa teen, Jamie Hubley, who committed suicide last October after being subject to intense homophobic bullying. Allan Hubley testified for changes to Bill 13, arguing that his son might have been an even bigger target for bullying if he had formed a GSA saying:

By suggesting each club must be specifically named, such as any name, we are dealing with the issue of bullying in a way that is sure to fail. Jamie was the only openly gay person in his school of over 1,000 students. Jamie had the love and support of his family and friends and still found this to be a challenge. A GSA with one member or even a few would only have made him more of a target. I have to ask you: How many people publicly announce their sexuality before they are out of school and established in their lives? Why, then, would we be considering forcing them to do so at an age when they already have so many pressures to manage?[...] 

Many of the kids I mentioned there, for example, people with freckles, with different colour hair, things like that, they’re not protected under the human rights charter. They’re not, as the previous presenter said, one of the minorities. From what I read of studies of bullies, they look for what makes you separate from others. They look for something that—you’re different. It could be the clothes you wear; it could be anything.

American liberal blogger Zach Ford disagreed with Mr. Hubley's assessment writing;

Hubley’s rhetoric is both troubling and faulty. His testimony suggests that he discouraged Jamie from being open about his identity, as he is doing the same of other young people. It seems he does not even understand the basic point of a gay-straight alliance, nor is he aware of studies demonstrating what an impact they have on school environments. 

Hubley’s first concern about “forcing” young people to publicly announce their sexuality doesn’t reflect the reality that they often choose to make that decision for themselves. Research has shown that coming out helps people who are gay feel happier — provided the costs of stigma do not cancel out the benefits. Participation in a GSA should never require forced identification in any way, as it is by definition a gay-straight alliance open to all students who believe in equality and acceptance. It’s a space to feel safe and welcome, not a spotlight on identities.