'It takes the whole point out of a GSA,' teen says of UCP motion

Two opposing views on Alberta's gay-straight alliances got a lot of attention on Sundayone in a publicized politicalmotionandthe otherin a quiet government-sponsored awards ceremony.

Alberta's United Conservative Partyvoted 57 per cent in favour of a resolution in support of a parent's right to be informed when their child joins a gay-straight alliance.

• UCP members ignore MLA pleas to vote against gay-straight alliance motion
• UCP opposes GSA bill banning parental notification

On the sameday, Alberta'sNDPgovernment gave 15-year-old GSA advocate NoahNichollsa Great Kids Award forhis work in promotingLGBTQ2S+ rights.

"I can't think of something worse than me not getting to tell people myself,"Nichollssaid about coming out.

After joining a GSA at a Calgary high school last year, Nichollssaid he gained the confidence to start telling his close friends, his relatives, then his parents that he isgay.

It took nine months.

"It's about when you're ready. It should be up to you," he told CBC News Sunday.

Nicholls, a secretary with the New Democratic Youth of Alberta in Calgary-Northwest, said he was surprised byhow many UCP members supported the motion.

He didn't mince words on social media when the vote was reported.

DanielleLarivee, Alberta's Minister of Children's Services, gave out the Great Kids Awards Sunday to 16 recipients at theFantasylandHotel inWest Edmonton Mall, notingNichollsis a strong advocate forLGBTQ2S+ youth.

She said she'sdisappointed that manyAlbertansdon'tagree that vulnerable youth should have the right to reveal their sexual orientation when they're ready.

"If they haven't disclosed it, then they have a reason and they deserve all the respect of waiting until they're comfortable and willing and feel safe disclosing," she said.

Lariveesaid there are many cases in whichfamilies abandon their childrenand kick them out of their home for beinggay.

The NDPpassed Bill 24 last fall, making it illegal for schools to out children to their parents.

• Bill to shield LGBTQ students from early outing passes in legislature
• 'He came out in his own time': Alberta mother urges acceptance as GSA debate intensifies

Following the publicized debate, leader Jason Kenney said the resolutions passed at the UCP's first convention won't necessarily be part of the party's election platform.

Nicholls said the UCP's position is tantamount to outing gay kids.

"I think it takes the whole point out of a GSA," he said. "For me, it has been to grow and be comfortable with myself."

Nicholls said the existence of GSAs isn't widely advertised at schools. He didn't find his club until he was 14.

"It's just letting kids know there are safe places to talk about things," he said.

Nicholls said he thinks school administrators should do more to let students know about GSAs.