B.C. parties clash over SOGI 123 resource as education issue divides province on election day
All 60 B.C. school districts partner with SOGI 123; NDP and Greens support it while Conservatives and OneBC pledge to repeal or remove it if elected.
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SOGI 123—an optional resource for B.C. educators on sexual orientation and gender identity—has split the province's political parties as voting takes place today, with support and opposition lining up sharply by ideology.
All 60 school districts in British Columbia have partnered with SOGI 123 over the past decade. The resource aims to support all students regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity and help educators build inclusive school environments.
BC Teachers Federation president Carole Gordon said the program "builds on and supports a broad understanding of the world which is diverse," and that teachers have integrated it to explain how sexual and gender diversity is normal and healthy.
SFU associate professor TJ Salway documented health benefits: "We've seen incredible benefits in terms of reduction of bullying and discrimination and improvements in mental health and safety not only for 2SLGBTQ+ students but also for the majority of students who are themselves cisgender."
The BC NDP, under David Eby, has supported SOGI in the past and committed not to remove access to it, though the party cut funding for the non-profit that developed it earlier this year. BC Green leader Emily Lowan issued the most vocal support: "We commit to continue supporting and expanding the SOGI 123 initiative to create inclusive school environments that support 2SLGBTQIA+ students." CentreBC leader Elenore Sturko said the party will not repeal it, describing it as optional anti-bullying resources, not curriculum.
The Conservative Party of B.C., led by Lorne Doerkson, promised in September it would remove the resource if elected, saying it "has become an absolute lightning rod for division in our province." The party pledges to introduce a new anti-bullying program instead. OneBC leader Dallas Brodie went further, committing to repeal SOGI and establish a Gender Ideology Task Force to "end gender identity instruction and secret social transition in K-12 schools."
Fae Johnstone of Queer Momentum warned that removal would "gut programs that make schools safe for gay kids, for trans kids, and kids who are different," and said SOGI 123 "at its core is a program that helps teachers create inclusive spaces for kids."
The facts
How many B.C. school districts use SOGI 123?
All 60 school districts in British Columbia have partnered with SOGI 123 over the past decade.
What do the BC NDP and BC Greens say about SOGI 123?
The BC NDP, under David Eby, has committed not to remove access to SOGI 123. BC Green leader Emily Lowan pledged to continue supporting and expanding the initiative to create inclusive school environments for 2SLGBTQIA+ students.
What is the Conservative Party of B.C.'s position on SOGI 123?
The Conservative Party of B.C., led by Lorne Doerkson, promised in September it would remove SOGI 123 if elected and introduce a new anti-bullying program instead.
