Kris Wells & Ray Johnson

Policy and Practice - Positive Space

Ray began by reading a poem

He works in a rural area. Policy #795

Race Relations Cross Cultural understanding and Human Rights - RCH liaison

People would call that they wanted to discuss these issues, but the area is so homophobic and rural and fundamentalist, that people would not do this

he wrote a Preamble that did not have the term tolerance, since that term has negative connotations

he has found that this new policy has released the pent up demand, people do not know how to put this into place.

the problem with education is it is hierarchical, paternalistic, and isolationistic, so he stated this is dangerous work for him. Education is very behind the times in Canada, so he is trying to play catch-up. Teacher and parents and students have these rights and have to be trained to use them.

he teaches in an inclusive manner

the

www.egale.ca - the entire policy is there in PDF format and is downloadable.

policy is one thing, and implementation is another. 

it is about moving out of the community, not only working within the community. This wat peeople, such as the divas, can be part of the community and give back to it by working in it and performing for it, since this is about getting out to the larger audience.

once the policy was approved, and the surface barriers were removed. Then comes the real work of addressing the deeper-seated issues that still tend to counter the issues the policy is established to address

the policy is wonderful, but the systemic backlash within those systems shows how it can be very challenging to implement the policy

“You should offer the legitimate voices of equity their own power” 

“He has a place to give voice to who he is.”