'Why can't we be part of the normal?'

The gay agenda should be everyone's agenda, according to Cochrane High student Charlea MacLean.

Rocky View Schools (RVS) division recently approved the new guidelines suggested by Alberta Education, outlining how to create respectful learning environments for diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expression. Students in town who relate to the LGBTQ community see the guidelines as life changing.

“We are people you are going to interact with, ” MacLean, 18, said referring to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community.

“Why can't we be part of the normal? ”

MacLean is an 18-year-old student who has struggled with her sexuality most of her life. She now openly identifies as a lesbian - and she said the conversations surrounding the new guidelines are important.

“I didn't even know what a gay person was until I was one, ” MacLean said.

“If people talked about this when I was younger, I would have known about (my sexual orientation) a lot sooner. ”

The 21-page document - found on the Alberta Education website - was developed to assist schools to address the needs of the LGBTQ students. Rocky View Schools administration drafted its own guidelines, in alignment with existing laws including the Alberta Human Rights Act, the Canadian Charter of Rights and the provincial School Act.

Superintendent Don Hoium had previously said he was confident all the boards would act in the “best interest of their students. ”

The new guidelines allow individuals to self-identify, ensuring dress codes respect an individual's gender identity and expression, and minimize gender-segregated activities including physical sports.

A guideline receiving a lot of attention is maintaining school records in a way that respects privacy and confidentiality.

As previously reported by the Cochrane Eagle, a twitter campaign started in March, encouraging parents to voice their concerns about the guidelines included a Cochrane mother who was upset about the privacy aspect.

Rosie Costen, 17, student of a Cochrane High School said the privacy aspect could be crucial for some individuals “coming out ” in the LGBTQ community.

“It is important to raise awareness and have a safe haven if people aren't ‘out' to their parents. Some parents are not cool with it, ” Costen said.

The Rocky View Schools interpreted the guidelines and worded it as, “discussions must occur with the student before disclosing information related to the student's sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression to parents/guardians or other adults in their lives. Conversations with parents/guardians will be conducted with sensitivity for the student and his/her family. ”

Guidance counsellor Suzanne Tiemstra said people “come out ” in stages, noting sometimes it can take years before the individual even admits their identity/sexuality to themselves.

Growing up in a religious household, MacLean said she agrees with the privacy guideline.

“I came out to myself at 16, I wanted to be true to myself … but it still took a while to come out to my parents, I was scared of their reaction, ” MacLean said.

“Coming out is the hardest thing you will ever have to do and being thrust into that can be damaging. Everyone needs a safety plan when ‘coming out' and if you are ‘outed' before you have a chance to make that plan, having no plan can turn out horribly. ”

The other controversial guideline being discussed is “providing safe access to washroom and change-room activities. ”

Cochrane High School student Maddie Downs, 17, said she thinks it is ridiculous that it is a “thing ” people are discussing.

“It is hard to understand for people who don't understand, but it is a basic human right to go to the bathroom, ” Downs said.

“Realistically this is not new, it is just people that want to be more comfortable. Even personally going to the gym can be frightening and changing with people can be uncomfortable. ”

Downs said it is important to be as open and equal as possible.

“You don't know how much a gender-neutral washroom can change someone's life. People shouldn't have to worry about going to the washroom, ” MacLean said.

Cochrane High School currently has an operating all-gender single-stall washroom that can also be used as a change-room that was unveiled in the school earlier this year.

“When you look at it, the people who are causing the problem are not (the LGBTQ community). That ignorance is coming from a place of fear and unknowing, they need to open their minds, ” MacLean said.

When the Gay-Straight-Alliance club first started at Cochrane High School it was kept quiet, Tiemstra said. In the past year, the club has been more open about its activities, with a whole bulletin board full of information and pamphlet sheets displayed in the school now.

“Walking down the hallways now you get a positive reaction and people are pretty supportive, ” Downs said.

“Our generation doesn't believe gender identity defines a person. ”

MacLean, Costen and Downs all agreed they want to create a “better place ” for the younger generation, including every individual from all spectrums of the gender identity/sexuality rainbow.