Keep 2SLGBTQ+ books in schools, ‘Queer Flourishing’ speaker says

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 25/10/2023 (891 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Wheat City has been the centre of a storm of controversy that has pitted a handful of vocal community members looking to ban books and curriculum featuring 2SLGBTQ+ content from schools against advocates who say those materials can save the lives of gender-diverse youth.

Now, a second speaker is coming to Brandon University (BU) to talk about the importance of including queer content in school libraries. Robert Mizzi is the Canadian Research Chair in Queer, Community and Diversity Education and associate professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Manitoba. He’s also a member of the International Adult and Continuing Education Hall of Fame and the Royal Society of Canada.

Mizzi’s talk, “Queer Flourishing: Why 2SLGBTQ+ Inclusion in School Libraries Matter,” will be held on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. in the Gathering Space at BU.

The issue of banning books in school libraries is not one that only affects people of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, Mizzi told the Sun.

“Book bans in school libraries have taken place not only against the 2SLGBTQ+ community, but others as well,” he said. “Jewish books have been excluded, racialized minorities, Indigenous peoples, and women’s stories involving women in powerful roles have been … We’re talking about book bans against many groups.”

The 2SLGBT+ community has always been a target for book bans, but over time, research has proven that books featuring queer content saves lives because children are able to find representation in books, which affirms their identities and gives them the hope of being part of a welcoming society, Mizzi says.

“It also provides a chance for those who are not from the 2SLGBTQ+ community to learn about sexual diversity and gender diversity.”

According to the 2019 National School Climate Survey, LGBTQ students in schools with LGBTQ-inclusive curriculum and access to LGBTQ affirming books heard homophobic remarks less frequently; heard negative remarks about gender expression less frequently; heard negative remarks about transgender people less frequently; reported less severe victimization based on sexual preference; were less likely to feel unsafe at schools because of their sexual orientation and their gender expression; and were less likely to report having missed school due to feeling unsafe or uncomfortable.

It’s incredibly important that 2SLGBTQ+ youth see themselves in literature, Mizzi said. It’s also important for people from all backgrounds to be able to see accurate reflections of themselves in the media and in literature as well, he added.

“I come from a mixed heritage background, so when I see someone who has my mixed background, I’m like, ‘Wow, there are other people like me.’”

Mizzi’s talk follows an earlier presentation by Prof. Melissa Adler, from the University of Western Ontario. He hopes that the people who come to his talk will find it beneficial, regardless of their backgrounds and beliefs.

“I think people coming to my talk hopefully will be inspired to keep going and keep surviving, and to also flourish in their communities,” he said. “And those who are resistant, at least I like to bring them to a point of dialogue, and hopefully have everyone reach an openness to learning.”

On Saturday, new provincial Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine, the Minister Responsible for Gender Equity, affirmed the provincial government’s support for transgender and gender-diverse youth, saying Manitoba youth must be supported to live as their authentic selves.

“Our government stands firm in support of 2SLBGTQI+ Manitobans, and against any form of discrimination or intimidation that puts the lives of 2SLGBTQI+ youth at risk,” a statement from Fontaine sent out via press release read. “There is no place for hate in our province.”

Targeting members of 2SLGBTQI+ communities — particularly transgender and gender-diverse youth — through fear and division is unacceptable and puts the lives of Manitoba youth at risk, Fontaine said ahead of a No Space for Hate counter-protest party in Winnipeg, which she said demonstrated the strength and allyship of community showing up in support of transgender and gender-diverse youth.

While Mizzi says it does seem like there is a rising movement of anti-2SLGBTQ+ sentiment at the moment, the culprits are a loud minority, and allies are showing up.

“The number of supporters for the 2SLGBTQ+ community far outweigh the number of people who are advocating for parental rights, and for parents to have the right to control their trans child’s lives. So, the support is there,” he said, citing the Brandon School Division meeting in May when the board voted down a move to create a book-banning committee. “Hundreds of people wanted this ban to not happen within the Brandon School Division.”

Mizzi says he is pleased to see such strong allyship in Brandon, ensuring that the rights of 2SLGBTQ+ people are respected. No one in society should feel excluded, or should be discriminated against, he added.

“We all want to be our best and get to our full potential. And I would say that librarians and teachers who help foster that through the love of reading are crucially important.”

» mleybourne@brandonsun.com

» X: @miraleybourne