Over 50 individuals gathered in the Hanover School Division board room Tuesday night to support a student presentation on LGBTQ education and policies.

17-year old Mika Schellenberg says she attended the meeting on April 5 where parent Michelle McHale presented her concerns about discrimination and lack of human rights in the school regarding the LGBTQ community. Schellenberg notes she thought about presenting a student's perspective at the time but it became more apparent that she needed to when the school quickly turned down McHale's request.

Schellenberg notes the policies at HSD appear to be outdated and discriminatory towards the LGBTQ community adding students are being bullied for their sexual orientation or for a family members, which she notes is unacceptable.

"[Regarding the] sexual orientation topics in our sexual education classes; this doesn't have to be detailed or extensive information, but it (LGBTQ) needs to be acknowledged," says Schellenberg. "We have rules now that were not in place years ago regarding the regulation of racism. We should have the same kind of protection and open discussion about the LGBTQ community. You cannot choose your race, and you cannot choose your sexuality or gender identity."

Schellenberg says there should be safety in the schools for all students. She notes if HSD wants to have a safer school environment there should be no rules against talking about sexual orientation in the classroom. Schellenberg says a division policy currently states that teachers are required to inform a parent or guardian when a student comes forward with questions about sexual orientation, something she feels is unacceptable.

"It's a huge turning point for a person. You shouldn't have other people spread around your identity, you should be able to tell people that firsthand," she notes. "A lot of parents are extremely against it. If the child feels safe telling a teacher, then the teacher shouldn't have to go to the parents who might be very awful towards the kid. I've had friends who have come out to their parents and been bullied by their parents and by their family. So that's something you should only tell people that you trust, to begin with."

Schellenberg says she feels Steinbach is split down the middle - half accepting the LGBTQ community, and half not accepting. She notes it's not just Steinbach and there are other smaller towns who are equally unaccepting.

"So I shouldn't say that it's just Steinbach, but it still seems to be in its own little bubble when it comes to Mennonite religion," says Schellenberg. "I think [it's getting better], I hope so. I hope this starts a lot of conversation, and it has been slowly changing. I know with Evan Wiens and Bill 18 a couple of years ago, it definitely opened some things up in our high school and, hopefully, this changes things a little bit further."

Schellenberg says she is hoping to see changes in the curriculum, training for educational assistants and teachers as well as the adoption of the Winnipeg School Division's Diversity and Equity Education Policy to update the outdated HSD policies.

Superintendent Randy Dueck notes Schellenberg's presentation was very thoughtful, clear and well presented. Dueck says the board will take the next opportunity to discuss the presentation and make a decision at a later date.

Read More:
Parent Concerned About Discrimination In The Classroom
HSD Responds To Parent's Concern Of Discrimination