Province to make gay-straight alliance kits for schools

The Province of Manitoba has partnered with a human rights organization to make resources to help schools develop gay-straight alliances.

Egale Canada Human Rights Trust and the province are working on developing resources for schools to develop the groups.

Under new controversial anti-bullying legislation to be in place this fall, the province is mandating all schools allow students access to gay-straight alliances if they want them.

Bill 18 has been hotly contested by educators, religious groups and politicians.Some groups have argued it infringes on some schools' religious freedoms, whileothers have said the legislation keeps students safe.

Provincial officials said there are currently about 60 gay-straight alliances in operation in the province. Thats up from just two in 2009 and 35 in 2012.

Some students in the province, like Steinbach's Evan Weins, face roadblocks when they try to set up the alliances.Weins tried to create a safe space for gay students at Steinbach Regional Secondary Schoolbut faced a number of difficulties.

After weeks of appealing to school officials and taking his case to the media,Weins was finally allowed to create and advertise the group.

The new resource guide will offer advice on how to start an alliance, how to engage educators, counsellors and how to make schools safer for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans or queer community.

Egale has already worked with Ontario as well as Newfoundland and Labrador to make similar resource kits for schools.

The kits will be available in both English and French in the fall, provincial officials said.