Ottawa Carleton District School Board

Students, families, and staff of all gender identities and expressions 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 safeand comfortable to explore and express their gender identity and gender expression,
• ensure students and staff are safe from overt forms of discrimination, and
• represent gender diversity 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 gender identity and/or gender expression, 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 of transphobia and transmisogyny 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 the topic of gender identities and expression and how to support children and discuss these issues. We have created this comprehensive list of frequently asked questions page that will assist you in this.

OCDSB 

• School multi-disciplinary Team – each school has a team in place comprised of a social worker, psychologist, learning support teacher(s) and principal. 
• Equity Program staff – Contact Sara Savoia ([email protected]), Trans and Gender Diverse Student Support Coordinator or [email protected] Equity Instructional Coach. Nina Eldridge - School Social Worker for 2SLGBTQ+ student and Jess Houghton - Guidance Coach.
• 2SLGBTQ+ books within the Stories of Identity Collection (2018-2019)
• Gender Identity and Gender Expression: Fostering inclusive learning environments for all students (2021)
  
• The OCDSB hosts weekly virtual drop ins for 2SLGBTQ+ students in grades K-12. Contact [email protected] for more information and to access the drop ins."
• The OCDSB hosts virtual drop-ins for parents who are trans or gender diverse. This is an informal drop-in to discuss common issues that we face and to create a community of support. Please contact [email protected] if you are interested in joining.

Resources For Students

• Youthline: Virtual 2SLGBTQ+ youth peer support service (all ages)
• Wabano: Two Spirit Youth Circle (12-17)
• Family Services Ottawa ‘Transcend’: Group for trans/gender diverse youth (11-17)
• Kind Space: 2SLGBTQ+ community resource center, online youth groups (all ages)
• Youth Services Bureau ‘Spectrum’: Virtual events for 2SLGBTQ+ youth (12-25)
• Youth Services Bureau: Mental health support and counselling 
• Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre ‘Queerios’: Virtual 2SLGBTQ+ youth drop-in group (12-18)
• Ten Oaks Project: Summer camp for youth from 2SLGBTQ+ communities (8-18)
• Support and Education for Trans Youth (SAEFTY) Ottawa: Drop-in groups for trans and gender diverse children, youth, and families (on hiatus due to COVID-19) (all ages)
• CHEO’s Gender Diversity Clinic: CHEO’s Gender Diversity Clinic supports children, youth and families at all stages of their journey with gender identity
• Gender Creative Kids Canada: Community organization that supports trans, non-binary, and gender-fluid youth’s affirmation within their families, schools, and communities

Resources For Parents, Guardians and Caregivers

• Ten Oaks Project ‘Families in Transition’: 10-week groups for parents and caregivers of trans, gender diverse, and questioning children and youth
• Family Services Ottawa: Monthly drop-in group for parents and caregivers of trans and gender diverse children, youth, and adults
• Families in Transition - A Resource Guide for Families of Transgender Youth: Online resource
• Gender: Your Guide: A Gender-Friendly Primer on What to Know, What to Say, and What to Do in the New Gender Culture: book by Dr. Lee Airton 
• Supportive Families, Healthy Children: Free resource available to download about supporting LGBTQ+ youth
  • Available in English, Spanish and Chinese 
• Public Health Agency of Canada - Gender Identity in Schools (Q&A): Answers to the most commonly asked questions regarding the gender identity of youth in school settings.
• EGALE Canada - Every Class in Every School: Report (PDF) on the First National Climate Survey on Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia in Canadian Schools.