Login / RegisterOut in Schools calls Kari Simpson’s rights complaint “a distraction”
Out in Schools, a youth-outreach group striving to end homophobia and bullying in B.C., has responded to a human-rights complaint filed by conservative activist Kari Simpson.
Simpson has complained to the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal about how the Vancouver school board is waging its fight against bullying. She has accused the school board of promoting hatred against Christians and other religious groups by using the Out in Schools antibullying program and similar resources.
Out in Schools is not named as a respondent in the complaint. However, Simpson argues videos and other content used by the group “deliberately mock Christians” and “undermine religious dictates and cultural values”.
“We view this complaint as most members of the public do; as a distraction, and a terrible waste of public resources,” Ross Johnstone, Out in Schools director of education, said in a statement today (April 19).
Based in Vancouver, Out in Schools works with high schools across the province to show films and lead student discussions about homophobia and bullying.
“Since 2004, Out in Schools has been celebrated by parents, educators, and students—we are a trusted resource because the films we screen are age-appropriate, relevant, and meet Ministry of Education-prescribed learning outcomes,” Johnstone said.
Out in Schools also took issue with Simpson’s objection to the use of terms like homophobe and homophobia, which she describes as “slurs” and “made-up words”.
“As anyone with a dictionary published after 1969 knows, the word ‘homophobia’ has a clear definition. The fact that this complaint exists underscores the need for more education around bullying and homophobia,” Johnstone said.
The school board declined to respond today to the allegations in the complaint because it is a legal matter.
And asking for fairness is a "distraction"! That's a mild description for Out In Schools getting in the way of a decent, basic public school education with nonsense like "celebrating" potentially life-threatening lifestyles. Keep your indoctrination to after-school programs - and stop calling people names!
The human rights tribunal would have to object to using the term even if the person does not self-identify as and is not perceived by attackers as 'homophobic' as that precedent was set with sexual-orientation terms used as attack words in the Jubran case.
While it is a widely used word, if it's not a recognized condition, what is it? Does it simply denote a difference of opinion about sexual ethics and medical issues? - but then why the medicalization ('phobia') - of opinion diversity? I mean it's not just Simpson but the Dalai Lama, etc.
It is wonderful that Kari pushes the left wing bullying and their hidden agenda aside and works to protect all children.
Bravo Kari :)
there is one great resource that contains a wealth of information that will answer all of your questions. it's called the DICTIONARY.
GOOGLE is another new thing, you may have heard of it on the news. has WIKIPEDIA made it into the papers yet? for your convenience, i've included their definition here for you.
Homophobia is a range of negative attitudes and feelings towards homosexuality and people who are identified as or perceived as being homosexual. Definitions refer variably to antipathy, contempt, prejudice, aversion, and irrational fear.
Sound like anyone you know?
1. A terrible waste of public resources
2. Clear evidence of the need to educate about homophobia in schools and society in general.
Out in Schools teaches kids how to deal with bullying and discrimination of all kinds, including that which is based on religious difference. I believe one of their facilitators is a United Church Minister, and others come from different faith backgrounds.
Kari Simpson should be declared a public nuisance and fined for wasting tax payer dollars with these fabricated claims and false accusations.
Justice Ian Binnie on the fact that Simpson was aware of her very public profile as anti-homosexual:
"It seems that Kari Simpson relished her role as a public figure. At one point, Simpson faxed Mair a cover article about herself in British Columbia Report magazine entitled "The Most Dangerous Woman in B.C." (November 24, 1997).
Hey, what happened here??
“undermine religious dictates and cultural values”.
LMFAO!
So basically you know that religion (not to be confused with spirituality)
DICTATES.
And by including cultural values to the statement you totally negate your idea.
Sleep well.
Have fun living with yourself.