Peel’s public school board is promising to do more to make transgender students and staff feel more comfortable in their schools and work sites.

In an annual event held to launch the new school year, about 850 Peel District School Board staff gathered at Brampton’s Pearson Convention Centre last Wednesday morning to hear Education Director Tony Pontes map out the system’s focus and direction for the coming school year.

A large part of his speech centred on the board’s ongoing efforts to create inclusive working and learning environments.

Pontes told staff the board would not sway from its inclusive and equity agenda to satisfy those that oppose new sex education curriculum that deals with sensitive issues such as sexual orientation and gender identity.

Much of that loud opposition to the updated curriculum has come from faith groups and parents who believe the material is too explicit and inappropriate for young children.

However, Pontes said the board would go beyond curriculum to make its schools more accepting places for students and staff who are lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender or questioning their sexual identity (LGBTQ).

“I must tell you that if I was a student or staff member or parent who is LGBTQ, and I heard the debate, saw the articles, witnessed the conversations, read the pamphlets last year, I’m not sure I would truly feel safe,” Pontes said, referring to the fervent anti-gay remarks that have bubbled to the surface of some criticism around the revised curriculum.

Pontes believes the board has done much to build a climate of inclusiveness by fostering Gay-straight alliances (GSA), student clubs that provide support for LGBTQ youth in its high schools.

“Now, it is time to begin that same discussion about middle schools,” Pontes said. “This is that year for the talk – next year for action.”

As individuals and an organization greater understanding of transgender staff and students must also be built, he added.