Calgary school board backs new Alberta gender rights rules

The Calgary Board of Education doesn't expect any problems complying with the province's new guidelines for respecting students' gender identity.

The guidelines were released by Education Minister David Eggenon Wednesday in Edmonton.

• Boy, girl, neither, or both? Alberta students to define their own gender

The document advises school boards to develop policies thatlet students choose which washroom they wish to use,what name appears on their report cards or which sports teams they wish to play on.

School boards have been given until the end of March to approvetheir own policies which must conform with the provincial guidelines.

The supervisor of psychological services at the CBE, Tamara Gordon, said the division's policy is nearly ready.

• MORE CALGARYNEWS |Experts predict more pain for Calgary real estate market
• MORE CALGARYNEWS |Digging down, waaaay down, into Alberta's economic future

"In reviewing those guidelines, there's nothing particularly new that we're going to be addressing differently. I think the guidelines are going to be agreat support toour system."

"I think that they'll have a pretty profound impact on school boards in general across our province," Gordon said.

I'm out astransat school and there's no issue. People respect pronouns so I don't think the policies will cause much of a stir at school.- SamDyck,Grade 12 student

Most CBE schools have private areas in their washrooms orstalls that can accommodate student's privacy concerns.

Gordon said gay-straight alliances are common in CBE schools and students aregiven the opportunity to take part on the sports teams that reflect their gender identity.

She said the CBE has resources available to assist teachers and staff if they have any specific questions about a student's needs.

'Safe environment'

The head of the Alberta Teachers' Association is applauding the new rules.

Mark Ramsankarfeels the guidelines will help ensure students can have a safe environment at school which is conducive to learning.

He has a message for anyone who doesn't think this policy should be a priority for Alberta students and school staff.

"I would simply ask them, Where would they put a safe environment for a child, where would they put that on their priority list?" Ramsankar said.

"As far as I'm concerned, and where Alberta teachers sit, having the best environment for students is a must if we're talking about student learning."

A transgendergrade 12 student in Calgary, Sam Dyck, tells CBC News he doesn't think the provincial guidelines will be a big dealat his school.

"I'm out as trans at school and there's no issue. People respect pronouns so I don't think the policies will cause much of a stir at school," said Dyck.

He feels the benefits of having a policy will outweigh any cons, especially for other school divisions that may not be at the same level as the CBE in respecting gender identity rights.