SOGI 123: B.C. parties share their stances

SOGI 123, it’s an optional resource for educators on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity.

According to BC Teachers Federation president Carole Gordon, with its help, teachers have been able to integrate it into schools to explain how sexual and gender diversity is normal and healthy.

“It builds on and supports a broad understanding of the world which is diverse,” says Gordon.

There has been plenty of controversy over the resource – with some parents and politicians claiming it is harmful to children or pointing to religious beliefs. But despite the criticism, it’s been around for a decade and has shown health benefits for students, according to SFU associate professor TJ Salway. 

“We’ve seen incredible benefits in terms of reduction of bullying and discrimination and improvements in mental health and safety not only for 2SLGBTQ+ students but also for the majority of students who are themselves cisgender,” says Salway.

But depending on who takes power, this election could mean the end of SOGI.

Looking at the parties’ stances, those with a more favourable SOGI outlook are the BC NDP, the BC Green Party, and CentreBC.

The NDP supported SOGI in the past and leader David Eby says they’ve made changes to combat misinformation and keep parents informed.    

“Any parent that has a concern about an inappropriate book or age inappropriate material that’s in the school can bring that concern directly to the school board,” said Eby.

While the NDP has maintained that it will not remove access to SOGI, the resource isn’t mentioned in the party’s platform directly. 

Of note, earlier this year the NDP cut funding for the non-profit that developed SOGI.

Focusing on Emily Lowan’s B.C. Greens, her party has been the most vocally supportive of the resource.

In a statement, the party wrote that  “We commit to continue supporting and expanding the SOGI 123 initiative to create inclusive school environments that support 2SLGBTQIA+ students and addresses the topics of gender identity and sexual orientation.” 

And finally, Elenore Sturko’s CentreBC says “CentreBC will not repeal or remove SOGI 123. It is a set of optional anti-bullying resources and policy templates for school districts, not curriculum, and not sex education.” 

On the other side of this SOGI debate are the Conservative Party of B.C. led by Lorne Doerkson and Dallas Brodie’s OneBC. 

Back in September, Doerkson said his party would get rid of the resource if it forms government. 

“I think that it has become an absolute lightning rod for division in our province and it has become a challenge. And I think that many are confused about what SOGI has become in our school,” said Doerkson.

The party pledges it will introduce a new anti-bullying program, but its priority is that students build strong academic foundations in school. 

As for OneBC, the party says it will repeal SOGI and create a Gender Ideology Task Force to “end gender identity instruction and secret social transition in K-12 schools.”  

The possible repeal raises concerns for supporters of SOGI, like Fae Johnstone with Queer Momentum. 

“When they say they’re going to remove SOGI 123, what they’re cuing is that they’re going to gut programs that make schools safe for gay kids, for trans kids, and kids who are different,” says Johnstone.

Johnstone says SOGI 123 at its core is a program that helps teachers create inclusive spaces for kids, and says that’s where the focus should be.