SOGI: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity.

In British Columbia, like every other province of Canada, education is within the jurisdiction of the provincial government, and this includes the power to establish an education “curriculum” for BC schools. This, of course, includes the “curriculum” for “sex education.”

So, what exactly is SOGI? The term SOGI stands for “Sexual orientation and gender identity.” Contrary to popular belief, however, the “subject” or “topic” SOGI is not exactly the BC “sex ed” curriculum – strictly speaking SOGI refers not to the official “curriculum” per se, but to the set of resources available to BC teachers.

According to the website sogieducation.org (sponsored by the ARC Foundation):

The Term "SOGI"

SOGI (pronounced so-jee) stands for Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity.

Unlike the acronym 2SLGBTQ+, SOGI is a subject or topic and not a list of specific identities. It is an inclusive term that is relevant to all individuals, as every person has a sexual orientation and every person has a gender identity. It includes identities like lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, Two Spirit, heterosexual, cisgender, and more.

The primary focus of SOGI 1 2 3 is on terms and identities for people whose sexual orientation and/or gender identity is in the minority, because these people have historically been marginalized and often misunderstood.

What is SOGI 1 2 3?

SOGI 1 2 3 connects educators to proven tools and resources for aligning schools with provincial policies protecting people of all sexual orientations and gender identities (SOGI). SOGI 1 2 3 focuses on three key areas: (1) policies and procedures (e.g., a school's code of conduct), (2) inclusive environments (e.g., safe spaces and welcoming language), (3) curriculum resources (e.g., SOGI issues integrated into classroom learning). When all three pillars of SOGI-inclusive education are implemented, students have the opportunity to flourish. https://bc.sogieducation.org/q-a#faq-heading

What does it mean to have SOGI addressed in the curriculum?

There is no "SOGI curriculum"; SOGI is a thread that can be addressed throughout many subjects and topics. Teachers choosing to address SOGI in the curriculum is NOT about students developing a particular set of beliefs around sexual orientation and gender identity. It is about building understanding of the diverse society that we live in and learning to treat each other with dignity and respect.

The Ministry of Education is responsible for the creation of BC curriculum. SOGI 1 2 3 provides ready-to-use, grade-level SOGI-inclusive lesson plans that align with that curriculum. Teachers can customize SOGI 1 2 3 lesson plans to meet the needs of their classrooms. https://bc.sogieducation.org/q-a#faq-heading

The content of this SOGI “resource”: is highly controversial – and highly woke! - and is explored on other pages on this website. See, for instance, “What makes SOGI woke?”.

Anti-SOGI protests of September 20, 2023.

On September 20, 2023, pro-parental rights protests were held across Canada. In B.C., these protests often had the flavour of anti-SOGI rallies There were also pro-SOGI counter-protests throughout BC. If you would like some of the flavour of these protests and counter-protests, consider watching this short 2-minute news story from Global News, which aired later that same day:

https://globalnews.ca/news/9973963/sogi-support-protest-bc-schools-rally/

The weblink is to an online story at globalnews.ca for a story authored by Amy Judd of Global news, originally posted on September 20. 2023, updated on September 22, 2023.

The first of four videos on this website is from the “Global News Hour at 6 BC. The video is just over 2 minutes long and is titled “Dueling protests across B.C. over SOGI curriculum in schools” and, in the video itself, carries the additional title “Protests and counter-protests over SOGI curriculum.” The 2:05 video is narrated by Global News report Grace Ke

Transcript:

Child (shouting): Leave us alone! Leave us alone!

Grace Ke, Global News reporter: A heated rally in downtown Vancouver with anti-SOGI protesters and a counter-protest group.

Unidentified man: I’m a Christian – I’m not trying to get your kids to pray!

Unidentified woman: So am I! And you know what? My god believes in acceptance and love.

Grace Ke: SOGI1123 is a resource for teachers regarding human rights, and sexual orientation and gender identity, with a goal in creating a safe and inclusive environment. Those against SOGI say they are protecting their children from indoctrination and sexualization.

Unidentified child: I’m here, uh, for… to stop them – uh, trying, uh, to make us gay.

Darryn Ferguson, “anti-SOGI protester: I’m just here to stop the schools from these - this sick agenda that they have out there, grooming our kids. And I’ve had enough. And these people were obviously paid to be here.

Grace Ke: Protesters were met with a much larger group of counter-protesters in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery.

Stephanie Wilson, “pro-SOGI protester”: All it does, is like, teach children that queer people exist, trans people exist, and, you know, bullying is wrong, and we should accept all folks. They seem to have a problem with that message, and, unfortunately, it’s become really wrapped up in this kind of freedom convoy, far-right, uh, mess…

Unknown man: If we had had SOGI… [chokes up] Jordan Navratil, “pro-SOGI protester”: If had “Folks safe” when we were kids, everything would have been different.

Crowd chanting: No space for hate! No space for hate!

Grace Ke: In Nanaimo, tempers flared as police tried to intervene – protests and counter-protests took place all across the province. In Victoria, police asked demonstrators to go home and advise the public to stay away from the Legislature because it was unsafe.

Winona Waldron, teacher: As teachers, we want to make sure that our schools are inclusive, safe places, regardless of somebody’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

Paul O’Rorke, “anti-SOGI protestor”: I’m particularly upset with SOGI123 program that is teaching children sexuality. I personally believe that the concepts being taught are adult concepts.

Grace Ke: In Vancouver, the march ended with no apparent significant incident, and no end to what continues to be a controversial topic.