Sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI)
Our division is committed to providing students and staff with a welcoming, caring, respectful and safe learning and working environment. We believe that an effective inclusive environment must be free from discrimination based on the protected grounds of race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religious beliefs, gender, age, physical disability, mental disability, marital status, family status, source of income, sexual orientation and gender identity. We believe this will enable students to become life-long learners, confident and capable of shaping their futures and meeting the challenges of today and tomorrow.
Gay-straight alliances
Gay-straight alliances (GSAs) are peer support networks run by students and supported by school staff, grounded in the principles of promoting:
- equity for sexual and gender minority students;
- safe, caring and inclusive spaces for all students; and
- healthy, respectful environments and relationships to prevent or eliminate bullying and discrimination.
Every student has the right to belong to a GSA. Please contact your school principal for more information. Our GSA staff advisers undergo ongoing professional development and collaborate with local community organizations to provide further supports and opportunities for students and families.
More information about gay-straight alliances can be found on the Government of Alberta website.
In-school support
Our division and school staff create safe spaces for all sexual and gender minority staff, students and families. Please contact the school principal or Les Kirchner at our division office to find out more about these supports.
Frequently-asked questions
The following information was compiled by the Calgary Board of Education, and is reprinted with their permission. We thank them for sharing their resources with us.