Students, families, and staff of all gender identities, gender expresssions, and sexual orientations should feel physically and emotionally safe, welcomed and accepted at school. This means all schools must:
- foster inclusive environments where all members of the school community feel safe and comfortable to explore and express their gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation
- ensure students and staff are safe from overt forms of discrimination, and
- represent gender diversity and sexual orientation in our classrooms and curricula.
In Ontario, all school districts exist within a broader context of law and public policy that protects and defends human rights. The Ontario Human Rights Code (the Code) provides for equal rights and opportunities, and freedom from discrimination in the workplace and at school. People who are discriminated against or harassed because of their sexual orientation and/ or gender identity, including people who are trans or gender diverse, are legally protected from discrimination under the Code.
The OCDSB recognizes and acknowledges that intersecting identities including race, religion, and ability impact people’s experiences and must be included in our approach to prevent and address discrimination. The OCDSB is committed to building a culture of caring, which prioritizes the dignity and well-being of students in inclusive and caring classrooms.
We are here to help you.
Learning and Support
We have received questions from parents and guardians on how to support children on the topics of gender identities, gender expression, and sexual orientation. We have created this comprehensive list of frequently asked questions page that will assist you in this.