Controversial Chilliwack school trustee facing human rights complaint from BCTF

The president of the British Columbia Teachers' Federation says a Chilliwack school trustee who has made controversial LGBTcomments shouldn't be"anywhere near students" and that's why the BCTF has filed a human rights complaint against him.

The complaint says that Barry Neufeld'salleged"hateful" public comments about transpeople have created an unsafe work environment for teachers and students, as the province moves to make students of all orientations feel safer in schools.

The BCTF is the second union to file a complaint against the trusteeafter his public social media posts targeted transgender issues.

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Neufelddenies the allegations in the complaint whichalleges he's exposing transpeople to "hatred." The complaint asks he be forced topay a sum to a non-profit LGBTyouth groupto make amends.

In the past, thetrustee'scomments and opinions about sexual orientation and gender identity taught in school have sparked outrage and opposition from Education Minister Rob Fleming and other trustees.

Despite calls for his resignation, he has not stepped down.

Reached on social media today,Neufeldreferred CBC to his lawyer but did defend Russia'shandling ofLGBTissues.

"Russia was one of the first European countries to extend Human Rights to homosexuals. But they placed a boundary on it. They must not try to influence children," wrote Neufeld, adding that a friend who lives in Russia near Moscow tells him that "stories of gay bashing in Russia are Western propaganda: fake news."

Neufeldhas agreed not to go into any schools until thematter is resolved.

Hansmansays the law is well established and clear and Neufeld should know better.

"Schools are not, nor have they been the world's mostawesomestplaces forLGBTQyouth.It is still not, in 2018, necessarily safe forsomeoneto come out at school and that's probably doubly so for someone who is trans."