Education Minister Jeanie McLean is reaffirming her commitment to the importance of sexual orientation and gender identity policy, known as SOGI 123, after a Pride flag was allegedly vandalized and taken from a Whitehorse Catholic school.
Yukon government cabinet communications told the News a Pride flag was damaged and stolen from Holy Family Elementary School in the Porter Creek neighbourhood over the past weekend.
In a statement issued on June 12, McLean acknowledged Pride month for celebrating the “diversity that makes the Yukon vibrant and strong.”
“It is a time to acknowledge the contributions of 2SLGBTQIA+ people and to reaffirm our commitment to their rights and dignity. SOGI 123 plays a vital role in this celebration by helping ensure that our schools are places where all students can thrive, learn and grow,” she said.
“Incidents at schools that are contrary to Yukon values, such as the vandalism of a Pride flag, only emphasize the importance of continuing to incorporate SOGI 123 into our curriculum.”
Per cabinet communications, someone who works at Holy Family school observed on June 8 that the Pride flag had been pulled from the bar that supports the flag and damaged.
By the next morning, the flag was gone, according to cabinet communications.
Workers at the school quickly replaced the flag and the bar that held it up.
Cabinet communications said the nabbing of the flag wasn’t reported to RCMP.
McLean said SOGI policy is a key part of the government’s role in offering “safe, welcoming and inclusive” environments for students, staff and the school community, no matter their sexual orientation or gender identity.
The policy is intended to allow students to be themselves “without fear of discrimination or harassment.” It’s “crucial” for combatting bullying, reducing mental health issues and improving well-being, she said.
“Education is the key to changing hearts and minds. By continuing to incorporate SOGI 123 into our curriculum, we educate students and remind the broader school community about the importance of inclusivity and empathy. This education extends beyond the classroom, influencing how young people interact with the world around them and fostering a more inclusive society for future generations," reads McLean's statement.
Contact Dana Hatherly at dana.hatherly@yukon-news.com
