Email Archive

Over the course of the group's existence, the Social Justice Committee have sent emails to the staff at BBIS. Here is an archive of those emails addressing the community.

Urgent: Addressing the Tragic Loss of Nex Benedict and Improving 2SLGBTQIA+ Support at BBIS

23 February 2024

Dear BBIS Staff,

We hope this email finds you well. We are writing to you today with heavy hearts and a pressing concern regarding the tragic loss of Nex Benedict, a cherished Indigenous nonbinary student in the United States. Nex's untimely murder serves as a stark reminder of the harsh realities faced by 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, particularly in environments where homophobia and transphobia persist. 

According to statistics from the Trevor Project, 2SLGBTQIA+ youth are significantly more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation compared to their heterosexual and cisgender peers. The loss of Nex is not just a personal tragedy, but also a reflection of systemic issues that must be urgently addressed, even in our school.

As members of the Genders and Sexualities Alliance at BBIS, we are committed to creating and supporting a safer and inclusive environment for all students, regardless of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. However, recent events during student-led GSA workshops for Grades 6-8 have highlighted the need for greater awareness and proactive measures from all members of the BBIS community.

During these workshops, we observed instances where teachers could have intervened more effectively in addressing homophobic and transphobic questioning and behaviours from students, and more harm was caused in the process, both to students receiving the content and to students presenting. These harmful situations and missed opportunities underscore the importance of ongoing education and support for both students and staff at BBIS.

We urge you to take immediate action to address the following:

• Implement comprehensive 2SLGBTQIA+ sensitivity training for all staff members to ensure they are equipped to recognise and address instances of homophobia and transphobia in the classroom.

• Establish clear protocols for responding to and supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ students who experience discrimination or harassment.

• Foster open dialogue and awareness initiatives within the school community to promote understanding and acceptance of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities.

• Provide resources and support services for students struggling with their mental health, particularly 2SLGBTQIA+ youth who may be at increased risk of experiencing mental health challenges.

It is crucial that we come together as a community to honour the memory of Nex Benedict -- in addition to the many Trans and nonbinary youth who have similarly faced violence due to their genders and sexualities --  and to create a safer and more inclusive environment for all students. We must do better, and we must do it now.

Thank you for taking the time to read this email. We are available during GSA meetings to further discuss and collaborate on strategies for improving 2SLGBTQIA+ support at BBIS, on Fridays 11.05-12.00 in the MPR.

Sincerely,

GSA Students at BBIS