School board investigating allegations of LGBTQ harassment at junior high school
School board officials in Prince Edward Island are investigating reports that a recent Pride Day event at a junior high school was disrupted by students who dressed in black and harassed classmates who said they supported the LGBTQ community.
Norbert Carpenter, director of the Public Schools Branch, confirmed Monday that some students at East Wiltshire School in Cornwall were suspended on Thursday and Friday, and their parents were called.
"Unfortunately I wouldn't say that it was an isolated act, in the sense that we do need to do better and learn from this situation," Carpenter said in an interview, adding that the disruption involved a small number of students.
"Unfortunately, school sometimes reflects what's going on in society. We all have to do better."
The reported bullying last Thursday prompted a protest march outside the school on Monday morning. More than 50 people stood on the roadside, waving rainbow flags as cars passed by and honked their horns. Green party Leader Peter Bevan Baker was among those taking part in the peaceful demonstration.
As well, Premier Dennis King issued a statement on Twitter saying it was unacceptable for students and members of the Island's LGBTQ community to experience hate and discrimination.
"No one is born knowing how to hate; hate is a learned behaviour," the premier said. "We cannot turn a blind eye to these types of behaviour -- these acts continue to happen in our province and in our country and it is not who we are as Islanders or Canadians."
King called on all Islanders to speak out against intolerance and discrimination.
The parents of some students turned to social media to express their anger and frustration. They alleged that Pride flags and posters were torn down at the school and that some students were allegedly bullied into changing their clothes if they were wearing rainbow Pride colours.
Carpenter said the Public Schools Branch was aware of those allegations.
"We really don't know (what happened), other than the fact that they organized online to be against the initiative of that day," he said. "But we really don't know the details. I don't think it's smart for us to speculate on what they actually did."
Meanwhile, the branch issued a statement saying the "deeply upsetting and unacceptable" behaviour of those responsible will be dealt with under the branch's Safe and Caring Learning Environments policy.
"In our province, we recognize and support the right of all people to celebrate who they are and that extends to our school communities," the branch said in an online statement.
"The events at East Wiltshire are being investigated and those who engaged in this harmful activity will be dealt with appropriately as outlined in the policy."
Carpenter said the school's administration can suspend students for up to five days.
Aside from disciplinary measures, the branch's response to the incident will include educating those responsible about the implications of their actions, a discussion that will include their parents.
As well, Carpenter said counsellors and a diversity and inclusion consultant were dispatched to the school, which has about 600 students in grades 7 to 9.
Pride PEI issued a statement on its website alleging the school's administration had been warned about the possible disruption of event.
"During the day itself, the school did nothing to support their 2SLGBTQIA student body," the group said.
Carpenter challenged that assertion.
"We have no reason to believe that that is true at this point," he said. "Students were disciplined because of inappropriate acts surrounding the Pride events. I know there's speculation that people were well informed and did nothing. That is not our belief."
Pride PEI's statement, which was addressed to the premier and other political leaders, called on the government to provide funding for in-school mental health support for LGBTQ students and education about gender identities, gender expression and sexual orientations.
"It is only by teaching students the truths about themselves and those around them that we can impart empathy and understanding that will lead to a safer world for not only the 2SLGBTQIA community, but all marginalized communities," said Pride PEI secretary Andrea MacPherson.
The event on Thursday, which was part of the school's Spirit Week, was organized by the student council and approved by the school's administration.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 14, 2021.
-- By Michael MacDonald in Halifax.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Montreal man on the hook for thousands of dollars after a feature on his Tesla caused an accident
A Montreal man is warning Tesla drivers about using the Smart Summon feature after his vehicle hit another in a parking lot.
Denial and uncertainty are looming over a Biden-Trump rematch 6 months out from U.S. Election Day
Exactly six months before Election Day, Biden and Trump are locked in the first contest in 112 years with a current and former president competing for the White House. It's a race that is at once deeply entrenched and highly in flux as many voters are only just beginning to embrace the reality of the 2024 campaign.
Maple Leafs eliminated from NHL playoffs with Game 7 OT loss to Bruins
Sheldon Keefe told his players hockey history would remember them one way or another.
opinion You don't need to be an influencer to earn income from social media
How legitimate are claims by some content creators that the average person can earn passive income from social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram? Personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says it's quite possible, if you're willing to put in the initial time and effort.
Should you save or splurge on makeup this summer?
If you're wondering whether you should splurge or save when it comes to buying skincare products and makeup this summer, we got some answers for you.
What a judge's gag order on Trump means in his hush money case
A gag order bars Trump from commenting publicly on witnesses, jurors and some others connected to the matter. The New York judge already has found that Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, repeatedly violated the order, fined him US$9,000 and warning that jail could follow if he doesn't comply.
Israel closes Gaza crossing after Hamas attack and vows military operation 'in the very near future'
Israel closed its main crossing point for delivering badly needed humanitarian aid for Gaza on Sunday after Hamas militants attacked it, reportedly wounding several Israelis, while the defense minister warned of "a powerful operation in the very near future in Rafah and other places across all of Gaza."
‘Love has no boundaries’: Sask. couple in their 90s and 80s get married
Eighty-two-year-old Susan Neufeldt and 90-year-old Ulrich Richter are no spring chickens, but their love blossomed over the weekend with their wedding at Pine View Manor just outside of Rosthern.
Madonna's biggest-ever concert transforms Rio's Copacabana beach into a massive dance floor
Madonna put on a free concert on Copacabana beach Saturday night, turning Rio de Janeiro's vast stretch of sand into an enormous dance floor teeming with a multitude of her fans.