'It's just wrong': Protesters react to Oakville transgender teacher's "inappropriate" dress
“It’s just wrong. It’s gone too far. Students have a dress code to abide by. Why should the teachers not?”
Amid the deafening honking horns, the right-wing voice barking into the loudspeaker, the blaring music and a small group of Peoples’ Party of Canada followers, there stood some parents who simply wanted to say that what was going on inside the high school was inappropriate.
That the Oakville Trafalgar High School (OTHS) transgender tech teacher who has been dressing in overtly sexual clothing, a tight form-fitting sweater outlining gigantic prosthetic breasts, should not be allowed to do so.
They didn’t have signs, they emphasized they are not homophobic, they are not against the transgender community, but allowing this teacher to continue to dress in this manner in a classroom is wrong.
In a statement released last week, Halton District School Board (HDSB) director of education Curtis Ennis said the board recognizes the rights of students, staff, parents/guardians and community members to equitable treatment without discrimination based upon gender identity and gender expression.
“I have no problem with transgender (people) but there’s a limit on how far you can go. Kids don’t need to see this,” said Liza Cowell, who joined the protesters gathered outside the Devon Road school Friday (Sept. 23) afternoon.
“Students who dressed like that wouldn’t be allowed in (school), and they’d probably get booted out of school. It’s gone too far, way too far. I don’t have a problem if they want to transition, but not this way, not at a school. I am not a parent, but this is not the world I want to see my great nieces and nephews grow up in.”
Said one HDSB mom, holding the hand of her young son, “This has gone too far, and we’re just standing up for our kids. I’m about to take my kids out of school."
School announcements have been “vague” about the issue which has placed OTHS in the global spotlight, addressing the media attention directed at the school, but not mentioning the teacher by name, said a Gr. 12 OTHS student who is in the tech class, but did not want to give his name.
“I was a little surprised,” said the young man about seeing his teacher dressed in shorts and prosthetic breasts for the first time.
“All this media attention, it shouldn’t be happening. The school should have set (dress code) guidelines.”
Many students are shocked by the teacher’s appearance and “a little weirded out,” he said.
As the students let out for the afternoon, some chose to mix with the protesters and roared in agreement with the voice behind the loudspeaker.
“I thought teachers were supposed to set the example for the students, not the other way around,” said an OTHS student by the name of Tony as he grabbed the mic.
It’s unbelievable that parents have to even protest, said Jana, who would only give her first name.
“This is not against the LGBTQ community. We are here because this is completely disgusting. This has nothing to do with inclusiveness. It has nothing to do with gender rights. This is just common sense. How is it that the school board is protecting things like this? How come they are not against? We all as parents ... know it’s wrong.”
At a meeting of the board Sept. 21, trustees requested the director return to the board before the end of November with a report addressing “the various considerations regarding dress codes.”