Fran Forsberg of Saskatoon is no stranger to advocating for her children’s rights. She has been involved in multiple court battles in the past to ensure that her transgender children have the same rights and protections as their peers. Now, she finds herself once again ready to fight as the provincial government announces policy changes for schools.
The government’s new policies include allowing parents to withdraw their children from sex education classes, prohibiting third parties from conducting sex education presentations, and requiring parental consent for any changes to a child’s name or pronouns at school. These changes have left Forsberg feeling disheartened and disappointed.
She believes that the government’s decision is regressive and pandering to the far political right. Forsberg sees these policy changes as a reflection of bigotry, homophobia, and transphobia. She argues that gender and sexually diverse children are more vulnerable to self-harm and mental health issues, but with proper support from their school and community, these risks can significantly decrease.
Forsberg is deeply concerned about the rights of the child in these decisions. She questions whether these new policies prioritize parental rights over the well-being and safety of children. As a result, she plans to file a human rights complaint on Monday, and she anticipates that many other parents will join her in this fight.
In addition to her opposition to the consent requirement for name and pronoun changes, Forsberg strongly disagrees with the removal of third parties from providing sex education. She argues that education is crucial in preventing the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unwanted pregnancies. Saskatchewan already has high rates of syphilis, STIs, and unwanted pregnancies, and removing comprehensive sex education could exacerbate these issues.
To express her opposition to the policy changes, Forsberg has organized a rally in Saskatoon this coming weekend. The rally aims to bring attention to the potential harm caused by these policies and advocate for a more inclusive and supportive education system.
FAQ:
Q: What are the new policy changes announced by the provincial government?
A: The policy changes include allowing parents to remove their children from sex education classes, banning third parties from giving sex education presentations, and requiring parental consent for changes to a child’s name or pronouns at school.
Q: Why is Fran Forsberg opposed to these policy changes?
A: Fran Forsberg believes that these policy changes prioritize parental rights over the well-being and safety of gender and sexually diverse children. She argues that these changes are regressive and reflect bigotry, homophobia, and transphobia.
Q: What is Fran Forsberg planning to do in response to these policy changes?
A: Fran Forsberg plans to file a human rights complaint and has organized a rally in Saskatoon to protest the policy changes. She anticipates that many other parents will join her in the fight against these policies.