2SLGBTQ+ advocates say vote opposing book ban sends clear message: ‘hate is not welcome here’

Advocates for the 2SLGBTQ+ community in Manitoba say a Brandon school board’s decision not to ban certain books from their libraries is an important turning point.

The Brandon School Board voted 6-1 Tuesday night, following a meeting with members of the public, against creating a committee that would review its 2SLGBTQ+ and sex education books.

A large crowd cheered as the decision came in.

BACKGROUND: Brandon school board votes against 2SLGBTQ+ book ban

“This is a great day for queer rights in Manitoba,” said Ashley Smith, the director of advocacy for the Rainbow Resource Centre in Winnipeg,

Earlier this month some Brandon residents called for the removal of books they deemed led children down a “dangerous path.” It was led by former school trustee Lorraine Hackenschmidt, who shared concerns of “sexual grooming and pedophilia.”

During Tuesday’s meeting, the board heard from representatives from the Manitoba Library Association, the Brandon Teachers’ Association as well as several Brandon residents.

Sixteen-year-old Jason Foster, who identifies as transgender, was among the more than 30 people who spoke at the meeting.

“These books should not, cannot be banned if we care at all about the safety of our children,” he said.

Foster says he is able to be who he is because of the 2SLGBTQ+ books and educational content that is available.

“Banning books and banning media that depicts LGBTQ people in a positive light will say that being LGBTQ is bad,” said the Manitoba teenager.

One trustee in favour of ban

Penni Jones, who has a transgender child, says she feels her son’s freedom to be himself in his own school is under threat.

“Education is a right in this nation,” said Jones. “But if this continues, I am afraid I will have to put him into an online school, which I should not have to pay for, because some people thinking he is being coerced. He is a boy.”

Brandon School Division trustee Kim Murray says banning books goes against the fundamentals of education and free speech.

“Students should be exposed to diverse ideas and perspectives, even if those ideas challenge our beliefs or values,” said Murray.

While the majority of speakers were overwhelmingly against banning books, school trustee Breeanna Sieklicki was in favour of the ban.

“There is an age limit for smoking, there is an age limit for alcohol, there are R-rated video games, and movies,” said Sieklicki. “We have an age for everything, but we do not have an age for these books.”

WATCH: Group calls for removal of 2SLGBTQ+ books in Brandon, Manitoba schools

‘A message that Manitoba is sending’

2SLGBTQ+ advocates say education on this topic moving forward is important.

“The community has spoken loudly and proudly that they are there to support 2SLGBTQ+ youth,” said Robert Mizzi, the Canada research chair in queer, community, and diversity education.

Mizzi, who is also a professor at the University of Manitoba, says the decision is not just a turning point for Manitoba but sets an example all across the country.

“2SLGBTQ+ people are all about trying to live their authentic lives and to be who they would like to be and to be successful and not have to endure a life of pain and struggle,” he said

Smith from the Rainbow Resource Centre says anti-queer and anti-trans rhetoric is on the rise, adding it’s important to remain vigilant.

“We see it across Canada,” said Smith. “In New Brunswick there is a story that is brewing. In Alberta, there is always something that is brewing. This is a message that Manitoba is sending that this kind of hate is not welcome here and it feels great to be a Manitoban today.”

WATCH: Solidarity rally defends 2SLGBTQ+ and sex education books in Brandon schools