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Queen City Pride has expressed concern with discrimination of the 2SLGBTQIAP+ community by some publicly funded, religiously based educational institutions and is calling for action from the Saskatchewan government.
An emailed statement to 980 CJME refers to two institutions — Briercrest College in Caronport and Legacy Christian Academy in Saskatoon, formerly known as Christian Centre Academy.
According to the release, both publicly funded educational institutions have allegedly demonstrated discrimination against the sexual orientations of those who attended.
“Queen City Pride calls upon the Government of Saskatchewan to immediately cease the dispersion of public funds to any religiously affiliated educational institution that is unable to clearly demonstrate compliance with the Saskatchewan Human Rights Code,” the statement says.
Nathan Holten, the co-chair of Queen City Pride, said when the organization heard about individuals coming forward with their stories over the past year, it became apparent that the government needed to step in.
“These organizations have been funded for so long with no repercussions as to what they are doing,” he said.
Queen City Pride has reached out to other organizations for assistance such as the support group Out Saskatoon. It also has requested to meet with officials from Briercrest College to discuss and provide solutions.
“We are waiting for everything to fall into place,” Holten said.
Holten said in a perfect world, he wants to see institutions be more accepting of the 2SLGBTQIAP+ community. He said it will take a long time to achieve, but accountability is a step in the right direction.
He said all institutions can call on Queen City Pride for advice and guidance.
In the statement, Queen City Pride writes that there are many 2SLGBTQIAP+ affirming religious organizations in the province which disagree with the religious communities that are not inclusive of this community.
“This is not a conflict between the religious and the non-religious,” the statement said. “There are Queen City Pride members who are active in their respective religious communities. This is about the use of public funds to implicitly support discrimination.”
Briercrest president Michael Pawelke issued a statement on the college’s website regarding the allegations against the school.
“I know that in some of these cases, our staff supported and journeyed with these students for years,” he wrote. “We will continue to support students sensitively, lovingly, and with biblical teachings as our guide.
“Our beliefs have not changed in our rapidly changing culture, but we have been learning and growing in our ability to walk with students through these challenging cultural matters.”
The statement also notes the college has updated its policies with a response from the Ministry of Advanced Education, and it’s also talking cultural and student needs into account.
The Ministry of Education provided a statement on the matter to 980 CJME.
“The Government of Saskatchewan believes in protecting the safety and rights of all students,” it read. “That includes supporting gender and sexually diverse youth to ensure they feel safe, included, and respected in schools.”
The ministry notes it’s against the law in Saskatchewan to discriminate against one’s sexual orientation or identity. That’s protected by the Saskatchewan Human Rights Code.
The government started funding qualified independent schools in 2012. These schools are required to comply with a set of criteria to receive 50 per cent of the provincial per-student average.
Queen City Pride is a non-profit, volunteer-run organization responsible for Pride in Regina. It works with other 2SLGBTQIAP+ based groups in Saskatchewan.