Transgender policy for Vancouver schools draws fire
Support for transgender students comes under fire from some trustees who fear property values will fall
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The Vancouver School Board came under fire from parents and some trustees in May and June for a new policy supporting transgender students.
The new guidelines allowed transgender students to be addressed by the name that corresponds with their own gender identity, and to use the washroom of their choice.
- Transgender policy adopted by Vancouver School Board
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- Schools' gender identity policy sparks debate in Vancouver
The move didn't sit well with some parents, who accused the school board of pushing the policy through without consulting them first.
"It is inappropriate for teachers to be writing up a policy without having approval by the B.C. College of Physicians and College of Psychologists," said Cheryl Chang, chair of the Parent Advisory Council for Lord Byng Secondary School.
School trustees Sophia Woo and Ken Denike also opposed the policy change, saying it could affect enrolment in public schools and real estate values on the city's West Side.
The pair were expelled from the Non Partisan Association caucus for their stance, and ultimately lost their bid to sit as independents on the school board in the fall civic elections.
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