Pride Winnipeg

04 MAY 27 - JUNE 5 2016 A FORMER STEINBACH-AREA MOM WHO FACED AN ONLINE BACKLASH AFTER REQUESTING A SCHOOL DIVISION AMEND ITS POLICIES TO BE MORE INCLUSIVE OF LGBTTQ FAMILIES SAYS THE COMMUNITY'S SILENT ALLIES NEED TO ADD THEIR VOICES TO THE ONGOING DEBATE. Michelle McHale incurred the wrath of social media — and some of her neighbours — after appearing before the Hanover School Division in April to request that middle school teachers be allowed to discuss families with same-sex parents in class. The division denied the request, and McHale found herself subjected to online personal attacks and even a death threat. She also received countless messages of support and encouragement, but says she wishes more of those who share her position felt comfortable doing so publicly. "There are lots of people who are allies in email, and who are allies behind closed doors, who say, 'You know, I really support you and I'm sorry these things are happening, but I just can't take a stand because I'll be alienated,' " says McHale, who since winter has served as Pride Winnipeg's human resource director. "Although I understand that, there are so many of these people that if they all came forward, they would be the majority … There would be so many of them, there would be power there." McHale, who lived near Steinbach for much of her life but recently moved to Winnipeg, says she was compelled to appear before the division after learning its policies prevented teachers from discussing homosexuality with students. At that initial meeting, she made two requests — first, that teachers be allowed to discuss same- sex relationships and LGBTTQ families with their students, and second, that Hanover adopt the same diversity and equity education policy implemented by Winnipeg School Division, where LGBTTQ parents and families are included in classroom resources and conversations. When the division declined her initial requests, McHale learned Hanover's policy classifies LBGTTQ matters as "sensitive content," and that teachers are required to contact parents whenever students raise questions relating to sexual orientation — a directive she finds equally problematic. "It gives the impression that something wrong has happened, or something concerning that requires parents to be notified," McHale explains. "In a community like [Steinbach], to require teachers to 'out' kids to their parents — when we don't know whether they believe homosexuality is wrong, or how they're going to treat their kids when they find out — is just irresponsible." While McHale knew her presentation would be met with opposition, she didn't expect to encounter so many personal attacks, or for the issues she'd raised to become so quickly clouded. "I expected [people] to be angry, but I expected them to be angry about the issue," she says. "So much of the conversation has focused on sex education, when all we're looking for is people to be able to see themselves and their families reflected in the place where they spend so much time — their school. Telling a child that their family is OK, and that there are lots of different kinds of families out there, has nothing to do with sex ed." Not everyone was opposed to McHale's proposition. She says she received an "overwhelming" number of messages from those who shared support, many of them fellow LGBTTQ parents or former residents of the same community. A month after McHale's presentation, 17-year- old Steinbach student Mika Schellenberg also Standing up for the community: Supporters including KISS 102.3 radio personalities Adam Taylor and Nesta Andrews and Liberal MPs Dan Vandal and Doug Eyolfson, got behind Pride Winnipeg's Be Authentic media campaign. Photos courtesy of Pride Winnipeg media — and some of her neighbours — after media — and some of her neighbours — after appearing before the Hanover School Division appearing before the Hanover School Division in April to request that middle school teachers be in April to request that middle school teachers be allowed to discuss families with same-sex parents allowed to discuss families with same-sex parents in class. The division denied the request, and McHale The division denied the request, and McHale found herself subjected to online personal attacks found herself subjected to online personal attacks and even a death threat. She also received countless and even a death threat. She also received countless messages of support and encouragement, but says messages of support and encouragement, but says she wishes more of those who share her position she wishes more of those who share her position felt comfortable doing so publicly. "There are lots of people who are allies in email, "There are lots of people who are allies in email, and who are allies behind closed doors, who say, and who are allies behind closed doors, who say, 'You know, I really support you and I'm sorry these 'You know, I really support you and I'm sorry these things are happening, but I just can't take a stand things are happening, but I just can't take a stand because I'll be alienated,' " says McHale, who because I'll be alienated,' " says McHale, who since winter has served as Pride Winnipeg's human since winter has served as Pride Winnipeg's human resource director. "Although I understand that, there are "Although I understand that, there are so many of these people that if they so many of these people that if they all came forward, they would be all came forward, they would be the majority … There would be the majority … There would be so many of them, there would so many of them, there would be power there." be power there." McHale, who lived near McHale, who lived near Steinbach for much of her Steinbach for much of her life but recently life but recently moved to moved to Winnipeg, says she was compelled to appear before the Standing up for the community: Supporters including KISS 102.3 radio Standing up for the community: Supporters including KISS 102.3 radio personalities Adam Taylor and Nesta Andrews and Liberal MPs Dan Vandal personalities Adam Taylor and Nesta Andrews and Liberal MPs Dan Vandal and Doug Eyolfson, got behind Pride Winnipeg's Be Authentic media and Doug Eyolfson, got behind Pride Winnipeg's Be Authentic media campaign. Photos courtesy of Pride Winnipeg campaign. Photos courtesy of Pride Winnipeg

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