As Pride Month comes to a close, we want to share the great news that at least 15 more Ontario Catholic boards have joined in acknowledging Pride Month and raised the rainbow flag in 2022. This is a great step forward to realizing anti-discrimination practices and showing unequivocal support and inclusion for our traditionally marginalized 2SLGBTQI students.

Accountability for the shocking and harmful motion brought to board during TCDSB Trustee Del Grande's protest against Ontario Human Rights Code compliance is being delayed by the trustee as they have filed Notice of Application to Divisional Court for Judicial Review.  A hearing date of October 19-20th, 2022 has been set. Additionally, the Ontario College of Teachers has a Disciplinary Hearing scheduled for Del Grande on November 29-30th, 2022.

In relation to the Toronto Catholic District School Board's progress on anti-discrimination practices, a court dismissed a SLAPP suit against supportive trustees filed by former MP Joe Volpe, who has been publishing articles critical of the trustee and other advocates in his daily "Italian" newspaper. The court held it was an attempt "to chill speech of elected officials who choose to speak up." This case also provided us with a new legal definition of homophobic, transphobic, anti-LGBTQ, in paragraph 257:

"Most experts agree that homophobia is more than a visceral fear of lesbians and gay men; it is, for lack of a conclusive definition, an ideology of perceived sexual deviance that operates to silence, subordinate and exploit anyone who violates traditional gender roles."

It is clear in related court filings and legal report findings we have witnessed so far that there is a difference between debating one's understanding of the Catholic doctrine and spouting homophobic & transphobic ramblings that amount to harm to students and community members. Just how long it will take for key decision makers to see that line, respect it, and advocate for not crossing it, has yet to be determined.