The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Blakelock to introduce gender-neutral bathroom By Twoey Gray, Grade 12, T.A. Blakelock H.S. T.A. Blakelock High School is pleased to be introducing its own gender-neutral bathroom after successful dialogue and co-operation between administrators and students. Gender-neutral bathrooms, also called unisex or family washrooms, are not a new concept. Gary Allan High School was the first Halton high school to introduce a gender-neutral facility, and new high schools are now being built with them. Blakelock students rallied for a genderneutral bathroom using a petition signed by more than 200 students, which sparked the discussion. Few realize how uncomfortable, unsafe, and unwelcoming gendered facilities such as change-rooms and bathrooms can be for so many of us. Students whose personal expressions do not fit the typical gender roles, students who are bullied, students of gender and sexual minorities (GSMs) and those perceived to be of gender or sexual minorities are particularly at risk. At a recent staff meeting, student members of Kaleidoscope, Blakelock's equality club dedicated to issues facing GSMs, offered example scenarios experienced by students across Halton: · In cropped hair and baggy T-shirts, tomboy `Dakota' is often mistaken for a boy in the girl's washroom. She hears whispering between bathroom users and must answer questions as to whether or not she's chosen the wrong door. On one occasion, a girl changing in the bathroom screamed when Dakota walked in. · `Jeff' has been very openly gay since Grade 7. He feels unsafe in the boys' washroom. He has been shoved into stalls, called slurs, and accused of trying to `take a peek' at urinal users. · `Nicola' has never formally come out but has been dating `Nancy' for two weeks. In the change rooms before gym class, girls now turn their backs to Nicola and are constantly checking to see if she's watching See Bathroom page 18 · ALL GAMES PLAYED IN OAKVILLE · PROGRAMS FOR KIDS AGED 3-17 BALL HOCKEY LEAGUES (AGES 7-17) $159.99 (until March 31) 2013 OAKVILLE MINOR BALL HOCKEY LEAGUE YOUTH BALL HOCKEY Includes jersey, shorts, socks $169.99 (after March 31) 17 · Friday, February 1, 2013 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com LEARN TO PLAY PROGRAM (AGES 3-6) $104.99 (until March 31) $114.99 (after March 31) All Programs are offered on Sunday mornings/afternoons from April to late June. Includes jersey REGISTRATION TIMES & LOCATIONS Toronto Rock Athletic Centre - 1132 Invicta Dr. Glen Abbey Recreation Centre - Meeting Room C SportChek Burloak - B3-3465 Wyecroft Rd. Sat Feb 9 - 10am-4pm Sat Feb 16 - 2-4pm, Sat Mar 2 - 2-4pm Sundays 7-9pm, Tues, Wed & Thurs 8-10pm The Oakville Minor Ball Hockey League is the only league in Oakville that is a member of the Ontario Ball Hockey Federation (OBHF) and has an affiliation with Hockey Canada. The OBHF is the only Ball Hockey organization in Ontario sanctioned by the Canadian Ball Hockey Association (CBHA). The CBHA is an associate member of Hockey Canada. Contact us for Oakville Rangers Rep Ball Hockey Tryouts. visit www.oakvilleminorballhockey.com to register on-line CALL: 905.580.5794 FOR MORE INFORMATION