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GSA clubs foster equality and respect for gay studentssaid it is an important group at the school,programs over the years, such as a movietation, we are a club about sex, Glas said.Continued from page 1regardless of its size. It is open to everyonenight showcasing a happy gay relationshipIt is not. Its simply a club about humanAccording to Superintendent of Educationwho feels the need to just drop in and sheand they instituted a change in the schoolsrights, its a club about confidence andYaw Obeng, 14 of the 16 Halton public highadded it is helpful to those silent students whoValentines Day matchmaker form. Now thepride, and its a club about helping youngschools have GSAs.dont drop in.matchmaking program is open to both het-people make the journey without the dis-According to T. A. Blakelock High SchoolThere have been times when studentsero and homosexual students. The schooltraction of fear or shame.principal, Kevin Caughlin, his school is veryhave been able to share experiences and sto-also puts on the day of silence event, repre-Because the GSA at Iroquois Ridge hasactive with a core group of about 30 studentsries and gain support from each other in dif-senting children who are afraid to speak out,been around for so many years, Glas saidin the GSA.ficult times, Glas said. I think it created aand a same-sex handholding day.over the years it has helped other schoolsHe said the group works together to dis-sense of normalcy for those students becauseFurthermore she adds a GSA is not a sexform similar clubs. Now that the Haltoncuss and reinforce some of the ongoing issuesthe presence of the Gay-Straight Allianceclub.Catholic District School Board has over-that happen in society and the school.posters and our campaigns have created anThis is in no way encouraging any sexu-turned its ban on GSAs, Glas said she andIts part of our diversity initiative, whichawareness that we will not tolerate homopho-al activity or promiscuity and I think thatsthe students at her school would be willingis about having respect for people for all sortsbic language, attitude or jokes.the big scare that teachers feel: that some-to provide support to local Catholic highof reasons, he said. Its not just around gayShe said when Grade 9 students first enterhow, because we are entering sexual orien-schools forming their own groups.and straight, but really people of all differentthe school, they immediately learn to dropsexual orientations. It really is an importantthe homophobic attitude at the door becauseway to recognize that we are individuals andit will not be tolerated.we need to encourage people to respect oneShe said the group helps showcase there isanother.Open House equality and respect for gay students and theThe Blakelock group promotes a numberGSA celebrates those beliefs. thof initiatives throughout the school year suchFebruary5We dont use the word tolerance. We useas anti-bullying and anti-homophobic pro-10:00 am to 2:00 pmthe word celebration. I prefer to not thinkgrams.about us tolerating gays. I think about cele-Its really a reflection of what were tryingbrating each childs unique gifts and specialto do in society, those values of accepting oneattributes and being gay may be one of them,another regardless of our differences, he said.she said.Though the GSA group at Iroquois Ridge isThe GSA at her school has put on variousmuch smaller in size than at Blakelock, Glas RII3UHVHQW WKLV DG DW WKH GRRU 6$9( RII DGXOW DGPLVVLRQJanuary 29 & 30, 2011Burlington Convention Centre1120 Burloak Drive & QEWShow Hours: 11:00 AM to 5:00 PMDestination WeddingsPresentedbyHalton Trafalgar TravelLive EntertainmentSensational Fashion ShowsContests & PrizesThe Most Unique Engagement Story Contest$10,000 in Prizes to be WonFor further show information call 905-399-0245 or visit us online atSPONSORED BYSupported by Oakville Beaver11 Thursday, January 27, 2011 OAKVILLE BEAVER www.oakvillebeaver.com