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Danko and Michael lone trustees supporting old policyContinued from page 1Whether those groups will be called Gay-Rowe said temporary acceptance of thetheir own views and lifestyles, the Catechism ofLeMay previously had come under fire forStraight Alliances or something else is still to beinterim OESC equity policy is a good move untilthe Catholic Church, our bishops and the Holydetermined.a new policy can be written.Scriptures take exception to the homosexualcomments quoted in Canadas gay and lesbiannewspaper Xtra saying the board would notTrustees heard from a delegation of youngOakville trustee Danko stood firmly againstlifestyle. It is in my opinion that voting to repealadults opposed to the ban of Gay-Straightchanging the equity policy.the GSA ban is neither in the best interest of ourallow GSAs in its schools just like they dontAlliance groups, including an impassioned pleaIm opposed to rescinding the current equi-Catholic schools nor our precious children, whoallow other clubs like Nazis. She has since apol-ogized for the remark.for tolerance from a gay man, who is a formerty policy because by doing so well wind upare so greatly influenced by our academic insti-Halton Catholic board student.being in the position of having ignored recom-tutions.The most compelling voices on this issuehave come from some of the students in ourMy high school experience was mostly pos-mendations made by the bishops of Ontario."We certainly need to take steps to combatitive with (school) staff who made my experi-To be able to exercise our Constitutionalbullying and discrimination in our schools.care, who have expressed to us that they dontence as pain-free as possible, James Hopkinsright to Catholic education, we should be free toNevertheless, we must ensure that this supportalways feel included and they have not alwaystold trustees.follow the direction of our bishops, said Danko.is guided by Catholic values. We must continuefelt safe, and we need to listen to the voices ofour students. Those voices are, for us, the mostHe still felt the brunt of intolerance at times,He told trustees he had 131 names on a peti-to walk the talk for Catholic virtues. I cannotHopkins said, noting some students shoutedtion from Oakville's St. James Church commu-sell out to the media and public opinion, saidsignificant, and we are responding to that artic-ulated need for support, said Catholic boardhorrific obscenities at me; some spat at me.nity supporting the previous equity policy thatMichael.Most days I cant understand why or how Ibanned GSAs.The next meeting of the policy committee,education director Michael Pautler.became who I am.New Oakville trustee Paul Marai, who is gay,which is comprised of all nine elected trustees,We will create safe and supportive forumsDuring the debate, new Halton Hills trusteetook issue with Dankos position.is Feb. 8. for all of our students, including our youthswho are gayJohn Mark Rowe, who had requested the boardTo try to ban one specific club is flawed andThe earliest the current OESC interim equi-, straight or questioning their sexu-consider replacing the former equity policy atdangerous, he said. ty and inclusion policy could come back to theal orientation. In these gatherings, students canthe last policy committee meeting, said, I wasBurlington trustee Michael stood withboard for discussion and a vote on making thesafely discuss issues and concerns and examineways to address homophobia, bullying, discrim-immediately surprised at the shallow (nature ofDanko in supporting the current policy.interim policy permanent or possibly re-word-the) policy of the former board.While we acknowledge that people haveing it at the Feb. 15 regular board meeting.ination and harassment of any kind, he added.InsideYLNO STIOpinion............................................6NU 2 NIHealth & Wellness ..........................13TFEL!KTravel..............................................21COTSBusiness..........................................24Sports.............................................25Classified.......................................27Full Delivery: Freshco, Food Basics,QEW Mazda has priced the Longos Fruti Market, 2010 MAZDA CX-7Sto sell with Bulk Barn, The Bay,Listen Up Canada,an all NEW JANUARY OFFER!M&M Meats, FM Windows, Wal-Mart,Future Shop. 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