Though the phrase “parental rights” is by no means a new term it has re-emerged during recent conflicts over sexual orientation and gender identity policies in Canadian schools. Here’s a look at what the phrase means, where it comes from and who is included — and excluded — under its umbrella.
Fundamentally, “parental rights” is a dog whistle about limiting children’s rights, usually in contravention of Charter Rights.
Our youth in schools have a right to not be discriminated against based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. SOGI curriculum is based on anti-bullying, pro-inclusiveness principles, to make schools safe and accepting places for all, including gender and sexual minorities. (The same thing can be said about anti-racist education, regarding racial minorities.)
That’s it. There’s no “hidden agenda” to groom or sexualize children. No teachers anywhere are pushing children toward having non-cis gender identity or non-hetero sexuality. And nobody is showing porn in classrooms.
The lies and gross misrepresentation of what’s happening in schools is fueled by conservative politicians manufacturing wedge socially conservative issues to get voters who will ignore their economic policies.
We must have no tolerance for intolerance.
The best explanation I’ve seen so far is that now that the abortion issue was crushed by a conservative supreme court in the USA, the next thing they’re trying to do is indoctrinate the youth, because church attendance is dwindling.
Of course, it doesn’t take long for that bullshit to bleed into Canada.
It’s time to double-down on the demand for free/cheap and secular education.