Albertans outraged over Bill 10 take to social media

Angry Albertans, straight and gay a like, have taken to social media to show their outrage over the provincial government’s attempts to pass Bill 10.

The piece of legislation, introduced by the provincial government, would enable all students in schools across the province, to create a “gay-straight alliance.”

What’s upset many, is the bill also provides an “opt-out” clause for school boards, forcing many students who then are denied to take legal action in the courts.

“So we’re talking about a 14 year old to go all the way to the courts, even if it goes all the way, that could be 2, 3 even 4 years,” said Mike Morrison, a blogger and local journalist.

Morrison, a gay man, took to social media immediately to show his disgust after it passed second reading.

“It has nothing to do with the curriculum, it is no different than a basketball team or a chess club,” he said. “The opposition to it, you can’t even find any opposition. The government tries to say it’s representing both sides but I spend so much time online and even on the comment boards where normally they’re so critical, there isn’t anyone supporting Bill 10 there.”

He believes the government is hiding the issue by giving school boards this “opt-out.”

“I don’t think it’s going to go away anytime soon, it really does feel different this time. It’s hard to surmount this issue, the majority government…you can only do so much but I think there are things you can do,” said Morrison. “We can let our MLAs, who were at one time LGBTQ supporters but have now turned their back on us, we can let them know what they’ve done and what the recourses of their actions are. I think there’s things they’ve been invited to in the past, that they shouldn’t be invited to anymore.

Morrison suggests the Pride Parade has a really important opportunity here to stand up for its community.

The Metro-writer spent much of his time last night, pleading with Calgary North West MLA Sandra Jansen who is sponsoring the bill.

 

The second reading of the bill had almost unanimous support from everyone within the Progressive Conservative Party, except for former Deputy Premier Thomas Lukaszuk who voted no.

Two Wildrose MLAs also voted against the move, Danielle Smith and Jeff Wilson.

 

Director of Programs and Services for the Institute of Sexual Minorities and Services at the University of Alberta, Dr. Kristopher Wells tells 660News there’s a lot of pressure and momentum building right now in support of the gay community and gay-straight alliances.

“I think without good communication, even if Bill 10 passes, there is going to be very little support,” he said. “I think it’s a critical issue for the government to be able to address. We saw the Wildrose party fail to address the LGBTQ issue and the human rights component and devastate the party. That’s the turmoil and the discussion that’s happening right now with the PC party, how do you reconcile this legislation with wanting to support the LGBTQ community and see it as a full and valued, contributing member of Alberta society.”

Wells believes there are two perspectives here, one that GSAs should be fully supported through legislation and a mandate should say anyone who wants to create an alliance should be fully supported and than the other issue of board autonomy and this decision should be made by trustees.

He adds there’s a huge barrier right now between the public and catholic boards that needs to be overcome.

“They’re not anti-thetical to our catholic and faith-based schools, in fact that’s where they should be the most,” he said. “One’s faith would be the impetus to reach out and be there for those that are different.”

Darren Lund is a professor at the Werklund School of Education within the University of Calgary, he’s also helped start the very first gay-straight alliance in Red Deer 15 years ago.

“It’s a very, very flawed piece of legislation being put into the Alberta legislature that really leaves a lot of people shaking their heads about what’s happening in Alberta,” he said. “I think the idea that human rights are somehow bestowed upon people by the government in little, incremental steps and these barriers put up in front of some groups just seems ludacris.”

“All Albertans are realizing that schools should be safe for every single child and we know there are certain children that don’t feel safe,” he said. “There is no way this issue is going away.”

Lund questions why the government would try to do away with something like Bill 202, to come up with something more flawed.

The three weren’t alone in their outrage.

Former Minister of Education Jim Dinning took to Twitter Tuesday night to voice his disapproval of the government trying to limit debate on something that involves human rights.

Calgary Stampeder Jon Cornish also suggested in a very public tweet, the government was trying to ignore what should be an important issue.

 

Third and final reading of Bill 10 is expected as early as Thursday or early next week.

To hear 660’s full interview with Mike Morrison click here.

To hear our full interview with Darren Lund.