Out 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.
Comments
18 Comments
Stephanie.
Apr 19, 2012 at 5:47pm
This woman makes me sick.... another gay kid killed himself this week in the USA...... when are people like her going to wake up and realize they're hateful words have real impacts in the real world?
kevin abrahams
Apr 19, 2012 at 6:45pm
I cannot believe that this woman actually got listened to, whenever I try to have a rational conversation regarding the book of myths called the bible, they don't know how to respond because they have been told all the answers are in the fairytale book, they just weren't told where the answers are?
Bethanie
Apr 19, 2012 at 6:46pm
Its their, not they're.
Gentleman Jack
Apr 19, 2012 at 6:53pm
The University Elite: Turning Humans into Clockwork Oranges since 1969!
Franklin
Apr 19, 2012 at 7:08pm
This sickens me too, the fact that sex activists can use name-calling to put down anyone who disagrees with their bully tactics. Even this article repeats the slur!
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!
Ted
Apr 19, 2012 at 7:35pm
.” Janet Steffenhagen in her September 15, 2011 blog reported “ I’ve received more information about the Out in Schools program offered in many B.C. schools and its link to sexually explicit pictures on the Health Initiative for Men website.” (. The July, 2011, online archive version of the “Out in Schools” website contains among its list under “Youth Resources” a link to a “Health Initiative for Men.” ) It would seem that the "ad hominum" attacks on Kari Simpson could be a convenient distraction from the very problematic nature of the "Out in Schools" program. I notice that the commentators do not deal with the issues she raises.
Define deWord
Apr 19, 2012 at 9:37pm
If homophobia is a recognized condition, as a phobia it is a medical condition, a form of disability, like claustrophobia. Using a disability as a attacking term to indicate a rejection of something or someone or someone's beliefs is not acceptable in debate or in human rights law - eg 'lame', 'mental case'. That would be like taking a term related to sexual orientation like 'gay' and using it to dismiss something or someone.
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.
Thank you Kari
Apr 19, 2012 at 10:11pm
Thank you Kari, finally someone standing up for parents and children.
It is wonderful that Kari pushes the left wing bullying and their hidden agenda aside and works to protect all children.
Bravo Kari :)
outoftowner
Apr 20, 2012 at 4:22am
We need to protect our society from the Christian right wing bullies who would have us believe homophobia doesn't exist.
SuzyQ
Apr 20, 2012 at 10:21am
someone has pissed kari simpson off! she seems to have commented under four different names on this thread.