SOGI Education
SOGI, the acronym for Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, is a term used for two key parts of a person's identity. SOGI applies to us all. We all have a sexual orientation and gender identity - both of which are shaped by society and culture. Many factors shape who we are, such as place, culture, religion, and era.
Childhood and adolescence are times of rapid development. As children come to understand themselves and others, they can begin to explore their social environments and navigate a complex world of peer relationships. This sometimes involves conflict that students do not have the skills to maneuver and that can thereby deteriorate into name-calling, exclusion, or even bullying. If left unaddressed, prejudices and biased attitudes may be left to grow. Educators and other adults can be important role models of how to steer through the social landscape more carefully by recognizing, encouraging, and valuing the diversity of others to ensure that all students are safe and have equitable access to quality education.
Questions? Please email SOGI@sd91.bc.ca.
Safe and Caring Schools in Our School District
SOGI-inclusive education is a road map for a diverse landscape. The term "SOGI" has been adopted to identify two areas of discrimination that are prohibited within the Human Rights Code: "Discrimination based on sexual orientation" and "Discrimination based on gender identity or expression." In 2016, Education Minister, Mike Bernier, required all British Columbia school districts and independent schools to bring their anti-bullying policies into alignment with the Human Rights Code by adding explicit protections for LGBTQ+ students. Nechako Lakes School District's Policy 302.4 - Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity created in 2016, honours the idea that student safety is foundational to learning and that it can be realized through a long-term commitment to ensuring that students’ unique identities, families, cultures and communities are included, valued and respected at each school. In addition, our Policy No. 502.1R Code of Conduct requires students to “respect the diversity of our school community and the BC Human Rights Code which prohibits discrimination on the race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age, mental or physical disability, gender identification/expression, sexual orientation or sexual orientation as perceived by others.”
SOGI is not a curriculum. SOGI-inclusive educators work to embed and demonstrate value for diversity among people of all genders, with any sexual orientation or family structure. This includes, but is not limited to, class content that includes perspectives, images, and experiences of people belonging to various social groups. Nechako Lakes School District believes in the right of all students to see themselves represented positively in what and how they learn.
SOGI 123
SOGI 123 is a network of stakeholders in education created by the ARC Foundation and in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, BC Teachers' Federation, UBC Faculty of Education, BC Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils and school districts across BC. Presently, all 60 BC school districts have joined the educators' network which "helps educators make schools inclusive and safe for students of all sexual orientations and gender identities (SOGI)." SOGI-inclusive education sees that "students' biological sex does not limit their interests and opportunities, and their sexual orientation and how they understand and express their gender are welcomed without discrimination" (sogieducation.org). In this district, students are taught that the similarities among them are more important than the differences.
SOGI - A Legal Perspective
Jadine Lannon, a human rights lawyer who is part of a group called Lawyers Against Transphobia and they have written about discrimination, what hate speech is and the responsibilities of all to keep discrimination-free spaces, including schools.
View The Handbook – Lawyers Against Transphobia
What if SOGI doesn't align with my family's values?
Can I remove my child from SOGI education?
Individual families will always have a range of opinions on many topics, and it is expected that parents/guardians may have some apprehension about aspects of the school system that may not align with their family’s values. That said, it is the role of public schools to uphold the Human Rights-inspired values of inclusion, dignity, and respect for all persons.
Sexual orientation and gender identity are topics that are interwoven through several curriculum areas, school activities, and arise in conversations about students’ daily lives. Therefore, it is not possible to inform parents/guardians every time SOGI-related content may arise at school.
The Provincial Government has allowed for some flexibility in the delivery of certain ‘sensitive areas’ of the curriculum, specifically topics related to reproduction and sexuality that some students and their parents/guardians may feel more comfortable addressing by means other than instruction by a teacher in a regular classroom setting. These topics do not include lessons and topics related to sexual orientation and gender identity, unless they relate to reproduction and sexuality. Read the Policy here.
Resources
Below, please find support documents related to SOGI education in Nechako Lakes School District: