Montreal Gazette
Egale Canada’s executive director, Helen Kennedy, said McGuinty’s reversal on the policy, which would have introduced discussions on sexuality in Grade 3 and anal intercourse in Grade 7, was “very disappointing,” adding that “kids with same sex partners are being left out again.”
McGuinty said Thursday that the province was putting the proposed changes to the curriculum “back on the shelf” after being overwhelmed by backlash from parents and religious groups.
Egale noted that McGuinty’s announcement on Thursday was followed by news that Archie Comics, the iconic children’s comic books, would introduce its first openly gay character in its nearly 70-year history.
“Kids of all ages will be reading about an openly gay character in their Archie comic books, but they won’t be learning about matters related to sexual orientation in Ontario classrooms until Grade 8,” the organization said in a news release.
“This lack of education in Ontario’s elementary schools contributes to the very real dangers of homophobic, biphobic, and transphobic physical, verbal, and sexual abuse and discrimination.”