Canadian School Board Blocks Course With Gay Content

High schools in Abbotsford, Canada, are being blocked by the local school board from teaching a new social justice course that includes curriculum on issues dealing with everything from homophobia to animal rights, reports the Vancouver Sun.

The school board says it wants to review the course's content after religious groups objected to the teachings, saying they would be too subject to individual beliefs of teachers.

One high school swiftly modified the course, eliminating information about gay and lesbian rights, after the board said it couldn't be taught this semester.

A letter from the board about the course indicated they thought a number of the subjects were better suited to college students. "Many of the issues and topics are very sensitive and encroach on areas of family values, beliefs, and practices," reads the letter, according to the Sun. "Some resources and related discussions may leave students feeling alienated or threatened rather than feeling accepted and respected for their opinions and perspectives."

The social studies department head at the high school, Leanne Abrey, said she was frustrated by the board's action.

"[I] kind of questioned why a ministry-approved course would need to have board approval," she told the Sun. "I don't think it reflects well on our community. It sort of defeats the purpose of a social justice course when it can't be offered." (The Advocate)