Alberta students walk out to protest expected gay-straight alliance changes
CALGARY — Throngs of teenagers spilled out onto a sidewalk along a busy Calgary street to protest expected changes to the province’s rules for gay-straight alliances, clubs meant to provide a safe space for LGBTQ students.
The boisterous demonstration outside Western Canada High school was one of many 20-minute walkouts across Alberta on Friday morning.
Premier Jason Kenney said during the election campaign his United Conservative government would replace the NDP-drafted education law with older unproclaimed legislation. That would have the effect of undoing some provisions for GSAs, including a ban on schools informing parents if their children join such a club.
“I think that if teachers are the ones telling parents, then that is the most impersonal way to come out,” said Aimee, a Grade 10 student who organized the walkout.