How one Oxford school creates a safe space for on-edge LGBT+ community

How one Oxford school creates a safe space for on edge

In a world that often exhibits a lack of understanding or acceptance of the LGBT+ community, the Rainbow Knights provides a safe environment where about 30 students in one Oxford County high school can talk about pretty much anything.

In a world that often exhibits a lack of understanding or acceptance of the LGBT+ community, the Rainbow Knights provide a safe environment where about 30 students in one Oxford County high school can talk about pretty much anything.

The Rainbow Knights is a Pride Alliance where members of the LGBT+ community can discuss issues and challenges they face and provide support to each other, said a Grade 11 student at College Avenue secondary school in Woodstock.

But in a sign of what life is like outside the group, the student didn’t want their name published for safety reasons.

“It was really important to me to have a space where I can feel safe and protected,” said the student. “I know at my elementary school I didn’t feel as accepted as at CASS.

“Having those teachers and friends who will be by my side and have my back, it’s comforting.”

Just south of Woodstock in Norwich Township, alleged acts of hate against the LGBT+ community have bubbled up in recent weeks, with Pride flags stolen or damaged and one citizen drawing comparisons between Pride and the Nazis at a council meeting.

“As much as I want to express myself, it’s scary to know that I could be a target for anyone looking to harm,” the student said.” I’m out and comfortable with myself, but I always have an eye out and looking behind my back.”

Described as an “incredible student leader with an incredible voice” by Rainbow Knights staff adviser Jessica Dowsett, the student was part of an event for International Day Against Homophobia and Biphobia in May.

Mainly organized by the Rainbow Knights, the student hosted a rainbow face-painting booth.

“We had a lot of people who we didn’t expect to come out and get some rainbow paint in support of the LGBT+,” they said. “We had an education booth where they could learn about what was going on with community and its history. I think it was very educational for a lot of people at CASS.

“There’s still much education that needs to be done for those who say they are allies because it’s important to be knowledgeable about the (LGBT+ community) issues.”

During Pride month in June, the Rainbow Knights have been focused on raising awareness in the school community.

“We have a really dedicated group of students who are doing initiatives around the school,” staff adviser Josh Braiden said. “Even our librarian has a display case for the month of June. A lot of it has been student-driven. They want to hear their voices heard.”

Prior to the pandemic, an event was held for Alliance members that linked them to LGBT+ communities in other schools around Woodstock.

“One of the reasons that is important is that in Oxford we may not necessarily have the same access to resources and it can feel isolating for some students because we are not in a big city,” Braiden said.

“I think it’s important that these students have access and knowledge that they are not alone and that they have a wider group of people who are just like them.”

The Alliance works on raising awareness through education, such as a Pride history display board and staff mounting the Pride, Progress Pride and transgender flags in classrooms “to show that visible symbol of support,” Dowsett said.

“That’s a step in the right direction. . . but I think we need to move beyond that too in thinking about advocacy and ways to connect with others in support,” she said, adding the Thames Valley District school board had recently added special training for teachers.

“A lot of our staff are thinking outside the box in ways they can incorporate more representation, education and diversity in their classrooms,” Dowsett said.

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