Recent anti-SOGI protests in the Fraser Valley have been “frightening” for 2SLGBTQ+ kids in Mission.
Edwin S. Richards Elementary School principal Sharon Widdows also serves as the Mission Public School District (MPSD) lead on SOGI (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity) 123 education. Over the past few years, more students have come to Widdows with concerns about escalating slanderous language.
“With those protests and sentiments and things that are happening outside the school, there are more homophobic slurs being tossed around,” she said.
According to Widdows, the biggest challenge is misinformation. MPSD attempted to clear up misconceptions about the SOGI 123 resource at a “Mythbusters” session in November. Protesters disrupted the event at Clarke Theatre with a bullhorn and it came to an early halt.
Widdows has been a SOGI lead with the district for six years and Edwin S. Richards was the first elementary school in Mission to have a rainbow crosswalk.
“I grew up in a time where there was a lot of anti-LGBTQ sentiment. Working in education and just seeing a need for all kids to be reflected in the curriculum – and we know that that's what kids need – that wasn't really happening. I wanted to see if we could move forward a little bit in the right direction, so I volunteered to take on that position,” Widdows said.
When she first took over the role as SOGI lead, Widdows says there were a lot of questions. However, providing information helped alleviate concerns.
For the children, she says SOGI education over the past six years has been largely positive with young kids being taught that different family dynamics are okay.
“I think it's been made for a safer, more accepting place for children whose families are part of the LGBTQ community as well. Because it's now just another type of family. It's nothing odd or unusual or different,” she said.
Despite the initial progress, the SOGI 123 education has recently received more pushback. She says it's heartbreaking when a child thinks there's something wrong with their family, or wrong with them.
“It is so contrary to everything that we try to do in schools,” she said.
However, Widdows says events like the upcoming Fraser Valley Pride Celebration are important for youths’ sense of belonging.
“It's an amazing thing and it's a safe place for members of the LGBTQ community and their families to go and celebrate their identity, celebrate who they are and be proud of who they are,” she said.
MPSD will have a booth set up at next Saturday’s (July 13) Pride celebration at Fraser River Heritage Park.
“Kids by nature are inclusive,” Widdows said. “That's what this is about. It's making sure that everyone feels a sense of place here and feel included.”