Let’s talk about SOGI 123. There is a lot of misinformation online and in our community. Here are the facts.
Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) or the SOGI 123 set of resources was first introduced in 2016 by the BC Liberal Party. AKA the party of Provincial conservatives. It was created by the ARC Foundation in collaboration with the B.C. Ministry of Education, B.C. Teachers’ Federation, UBC Faculty of Education, school districts and other organizations.
SOGI 123 resources are not, in themselves, mandatory provincial curriculum.
However, the underlying provincial learning standards are mandatory. For example, aspects of sexual orientation, gender identity, sexuality, relationships, personal identity and diversity occur within B.C.’s curriculum, particularly Physical and Health Education (PHE) and other subjects depending on grade. Teachers cannot simply omit a required learning standard because they personally disagree with or are uncomfortable teaching the topic.
What does it look like in an actual classroom?
It varies considerably by grade, subject, teacher and school district. The provincial curriculum, rather than the SOGI 123 website, is therefore the key document for determining what students are required to learn.
What about parents?
B.C. has an Alternative Delivery policy for the health-related learning standards in Physical and Health Education. It allows students and parents/guardians, in consultation with the local school authority, to choose an alternative means of addressing applicable health learning standards rather than receiving the instruction in the regular classroom. Importantly, this does not mean the learning standards disappear; the student is still expected to address and demonstrate understanding of them.
In Abbotsford, the key SD34 policy document is Administrative Procedure 339 — Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression (AP 339). It is not a curriculum document. AP 339 says its purpose is to provide safe and caring learning and working environments inclusive of sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, under the B.C. Human Rights Code.
So, what is the controversy?
Recently, an Abbotsford School Trustee made a motion to require parental notification prior to any SOGI 123 materials being used in the classroom. It was defeated.
We understand the purpose of wanting parental consent, and we agree that all parents should give their consent, but there is a practical challenge here.
Let’s take a real-world example. A child has a question about puberty. They ask a teacher they trust, but that teacher is unsure how to answer the question. SOGI 123 provides a methodology for answering that question, so the student issue can be addressed. In this specific situation, providing parental notice before this event is impractical.
Parents and Confidentiality are Complicated
In our opinion, this is the most controversial and misunderstood aspect of the Abbotsford School District’s policy. AP 339 contains provisions dealing with a student’s gender identity/expression and parental communication. The policy says that:
- students can request particular names/pronouns;
- staff generally keep information about gender identity/sexual orientation confidential;
- in some circumstances, information will not be disclosed to parents if doing so could threaten the student’s health, safety or welfare;
- students are encouraged to create a communication plan with a trusted adult.
The policy talks about determining if disclosing information to a parent would threaten the student’s welfare. The bar for this determination being applied is astronomically high. In other words, it cannot be based on the student’s “feelings”. Any event where parental notification might be withheld should not be done without the engagement of the Abbotsford Police and/or the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD). If the MCFD or Police are not involved, the policy has been broken.
The Bottom Line for an SD34 Parent
- There is no provincial “SOGI course.”
- SOGI 123 is not mandatory curriculum. SD34 explicitly says this.
- here are, nevertheless, mandatory provincial learning standards that deal with sexuality, sexual identity, gender identity/expression, relationships, consent and discrimination at various grades.
- SD34 has its own SOGI-related administrative procedure, AP 339, which goes beyond classroom curriculum and governs names, pronouns, confidentiality, facilities, PE, records and staff training.
- Parents can formally challenge a specific classroom resource. The process ultimately goes to a Reconsideration Committee and potentially the Board.
- Parents can request alternative delivery for qualifying PHE sexuality/reproduction content, but this is not a blanket “SOGI opt-out.”
- SD34’s public material says parents should be able to ask the teacher about a lesson, the principal about a resource, and escalate unresolved concerns through district administration and ultimately the Board.
Can We Go Further?
The term “Parental Notification & Consent” is the key phrase at the core of this issue. We can go a step further. Create open information sessions at the beginning of the school year for parents to ask questions and review relevant SOGI materials. Send lesson plans that use SOGI materials to parents in advance of being included in instruction. Communication is the key. Parents aren’t powerless and have options. Schools can raise the bar on parental engagement. Let’s work together.