As addressed in the Saskatchewan Ministry of Education publication Deepening the Discussion, schools are a safe place where discrimination is not accepted. “Students who experience discrimination, whether it is based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity or culture, have a legal right to be safe and protected in schools.” Not only is discrimination and oppressive behaviour unacceptable, but students have a legal right to be safe and protected in schools. However, the system itself is oppressive. Reports find that an alarming amount of students hear homophobic comments and rumours and witness or experience bullying relating to sexual orientation or identity. Although schools are supposed to be safe spaces for everyone, it is apparent that 2SLGBTQ issues (such as harassment) are still prevalent and are being improperly addressed. So how do we go about addressing these issues, as well as the issues sewn deeply into the education system?

One of the most forward routes to addressing systematic oppression in the education system is at the core of what we are teaching. We as teachers hold a powerful position in young lives; we can influence students very easily, so we should use this power to develop respect. We can express to students that there are different gender identities and sexual orientations and show respect to all students. Students must learn to respect everyone. As people, we can come together in unity not over similarities but over differences. One of the foundational points of confederation in Canada was strength in diversity, a point backed by George-Etienne Cartier. Although this point was in reference to building strength off the diversity of white French and English settlers, we can still use the idea today. We are stronger together than separated, and by teaching students that differences are not bad but rather provide opportunities for new views and values, we can encourage deeper connections between students.

There is still an issue rooted much deeper in the system. 2SLGBTQ teachers also experience oppression and discrimination. They are not heard; if they openly express their gender identities and sexual orientations, a wall is quickly built around them. They become an outsider, they become “the other.” It is an overall societal issue. Our society is under-educated about 2SLGBTQ people. Introducing queer education, or “queering the curriculum,” educates the next generation, the future, of our society. We should promote freedom of expression to older generations. Parents, grandparents, and students should be invited to these learning experiences so we can develop a wider understanding across our society. We should not aim to change others’ beliefs or values, but we should always attempt to educate others and develop respect and understanding for others.