Public Service Alliance of Canada BC

For Immediate Release - January 10, 2007

Surveys says Central Okanagan schools are unsafe for Gay Students

Kelowna - Results of the recent survey by the Indigo Spirit of Awareness Society revealed it’s not safe for students to be gay in our community.

“Ninety-two per cent of respondents say things need to change to help Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered and Questioning (LGBTQ) students to feel safer,” said executive director Paula Miles.

The survey showed that homophobic taunts top the list (59 per cent) of negative comments students hear in the schools. That was ahead of taunts, comments and remarks that were sexist, racist or anti-religious.

“Eighty-five per cent of respondents heard derogatory comments, such as that’s so “gay”, “fag”, “homo”, “dyke”, or “lesbo” while they attended school,” Miles said. “We knew there was a problem in our schools, but we had no idea it was pervasive. If students hear these comments on a regular basis, how can any gay or questioning youth feel safe? Under these circumstances, it would be natural to be fearful of anyone learning about their sexuality.”

The survey only heightened the concern the organization has about students struggling in silence. Nearly 20 per cent revealed they knew someone who committed suicide, 37 per cent knew someone who attempted suicide, and 52 per cent knew someone who had considered suicide.

“This is why we need to start talking about these issues in our community,”Miles said. “We owe it to our children to make sure they are safe and receive the support that they need.”

The survey results came not just from the gay community, but also from the straight community. Forty-two per cent of the respondents defined themselves as heterosexual and 58% of the respondents were from the gay community.

“The fact so many of the respondents were heterosexual shows that this isn’t something that only the gay community is concerned about. The issue of safety in schools crosses all sexual, social and educational boundaries.”

Further details of the survey will be released at a community forum hosted by the Indigo Spirit of Awareness Society Monday January 29, 2007 at the Okanagan Regional Library, 1380 Ellis Street at 6:30pm. Bring your ideas of where we can go from here to help make this community safe for all our children.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for parents, service providers, educators, youth and any members of our community to become aware of the many issues facing gay and lesbian youth,” Miles said.