LGBTQ 'Rally Against Bigotry' protests Saskatoon Catholic schools directive to keep kids from Rainbow Tent

Approximately 200 demonstrators gathered outside the Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools (GSCS)board building Thursdayafternoon to protest a directive sent bythe superintendent of education that asked teachers to avoid the Rainbow Tent at a local children's festival.

The GSCS has faced significant backlash from the LGBTQcommunity and its supporters this week after a copy of the email directive superintendentTom Hickey sent to principals in May was leaked.Those that attended the rally called for an in-person apology from the school division as well as a promise for more inclusivity.

The Nutrien Children's Festival, which runs from June 1 to 4 at Kinsmen Park, features a Rainbow Tent withprogramming"from Drag Queen Storytime to inclusive dress up performances filled with colour and fun," according to the event's website.

"I think what happened with the Catholic school board was completely unacceptable," Jamey Hughton, a demonstrator at the 'Rally Against Bigotry' said.

"I think we all need to be allies.Gay people exist, trans people exist and we need to support them. We need them to know that they are supported. And that includes young people. Especially young people."

OUTSaskatoon, the Saskatchewan Teachers' Federationand CUPE have all come out against the GSCS'sopposition to the Rainbow Tent since the email leak.

The rally included members of the LGBTQcommunity, as well as allies.

"A lot of people do look down on our pride ... and our spirit, and I just don't think it's right to justbe quiet and stand alone. So I'm out here in the rain with all my family and friends to be here and support," said Honey Constant-Inglis, who was among the demonstrators at the rally.

Hickey, who sent thedirective to principals to pass onto educators and chaperones,spoke to the demonstrators,while some heckled him.

He said he has received hundreds of emails and messages in response to the directive, and he apologized to the onlookers.

"We love you," Hickey said.

"Trust has been broken. That'sfair. There's lots of you that are angry and I'm looking forward to continuing to meet with people and to connect with people."

He said the divisionpromises to commit to the practice of both professional learning for staff and how to support students inclusively.

"Deep hurt"

In his email, Hickeywrote to principals that "engagement and participation by our students in that particular offering would not be supported" because of the description on the festival website.

After the email was leaked,the board's Director of EducationFranois Rivard sent out an email that apologized for the "deep hurt" it caused.

"We recognize the internal email has been viewed by some as one of judgment, hate and exclusion. That was never the intent, nor does that view represent our division's beliefs," it said.

"It's a lot more than the words of this email. It shows deeper roots of bigotry and misinformation, queerphobia, that are in the school division," said Andrea Gursky, a queer woman and a contractededucational assistant with the Saskatoon Catholic school board.

She said there are others in the school who share her opinion, but some didn't feel right showing up to a protest. Gurskyencouraged everyoneto attend.

"Showing up to this protest, writing letters to the board calling for change those action steps are needed."

The GSCSboard buildingwas vandalized with colourful stickers and paintin the days after the email was leaked.

Some educators speak out against leaked email

Gursky said that she wasn't surprised by the leaked email, but it was a"tipping point," and she won't be returning to the school next fall.

"We deserve to be who we are and no queer person should have their identity under attack," she said.

Patti Rowley, who was raised Catholic and became an advocate for LGBTQ students during her career as a teacher, told CBC on Wednesdaythat she feels the recent directive from the GSCSmoves back decades of progress. She wrote a letter to Hickeyoutlining her concerns.

"His directive is not only harmful, it's also hurtful and dangerous," Rowleysaid, adding she asked him to reconsider and retract it.

WATCH | Advocates criticize Catholic Schools directive to avoid Rainbow Tent:

Advocates criticize Catholic Schools directive to keep kids from Rainbow Tent at children's festival

1 year ago

Duration 2:20

An email the superintendent of education for Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools sent to his elementary school principals has sparked outrage.

While the GSCS put out an apology email following the leak, many, including Rowley, think that isn't enough

"They've talked the talk by issuing this apology email, but they need to walk the walk.You can't just say: 'We're sorry, we didn't intend to be judgmental or hurtful.' They need to show it in actions."

Rowley hasn't received a response from the superintendent yet.

Kit Bell, a teacher for Saskatoon PublicSchools and a lesbian, said she was "incredibly disappointed" with the email andsent a letter to the Catholic school board.

"As teachers and educators and people in positions ofpower and role models for students, we need to stand up for who they are as kids," said Kit Bell.

"As a child that knew I was queerfromGrade 4, I wished that I had opportunities like [the Rainbow Tent] to go to something that's fun and full of light, and able to see myself represented in the community."

LISTEN | Former student chimes in on Catholic school division's emailed directive:

Saskatoon Morning5:51Former student speaks out after Catholic school division sends a directive not to go to the Rainbow Tent at the Children's Festival

Candice Lipski talks with Regan Wilson, who wants queer kids to know they do belong in Catholic spaces. That's why they decided to speak out against the Catholic division for not allowing children to visit the Rainbow Tent at the Children's Festival.

School board chair and Minister of Education respond

Bell'semail included GSCS board chair Diane Boyko, who said at a news conference on Thursday afternoon that its the division'sjob to ensurestudents feel safe and valued.

The rally was an opportunity for people to express themselves, Boyko said, addingthe directive was a result of feedback from parents and that she stands by it.

Saskatchewan Education Minister Dustin Duncan said he agrees with and supportsthe school board's decision.

"I think ensuring that parents have thatability to have those conversations at the appropriate time in the appropriate place ... is something that I agree with," he said.

"I don't think anybody is saying 'don't take your children.' I think it's just a matter of as a part of a school trip that it wasn't something that was being advised."

Duncan was asked several times to specifywhat aspects of the tent are concerning, but wouldn't.

The Roman CatholicDiocese ofSaskatoon declinedinterview requests from the CBC this week.