SOGI Education
Introduction
Sher Vancouver in its mission, vision, values, and operations fully believes in the following aims: An inclusive education system and a world where 2SLGBTQIA+ people are not criminalised and erased, where misinformation around queer folks do not create toxic environments, and where human rights are not denied.
We hope that these links can provide some insight into what SOGI is, constructive and actionable suggestions on how we can stand up for human rights for all, and the correct ways in which we should ask questions on the topic.
- Everyone has a gender identity
- Everyone expresses gender.
- Everyone has a sexual orientation.
- Binaries are part of a spectrum.
- To protect one is to protect all.
There is a lot of confusion around the meaning of SOGI.
What is SOGI's actual definition and its purpose?
“SOGI 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.
SOGI 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 gender and sexual orientation specifically?
Everyone has a gender and a sexual orientation. The binary of man and woman, male and female exists on a spectrum of gender and orientation. The BC Human Rights Code, Canadian Human Rights Code, Canadian Criminal Code, and Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms all provide protections for ALL genders and sexual orientation and aim to protect from discrimination, and erasure.
Erasing Gender identity and Sexual Orientation means ending protections for all people to include people who are cis-gender and heterosexual.
Personal Characteristics Protected in the BC Human Rights Code
Human Rights in British Columbia: Discrimination based on Sexual Orientation
Image from transstudent.org
Where can I learn more about transness and gender affirming care?
This site helps to provide some important information on what we mean by transgender people. It also clarifies myths on what gender affirming care actually means. It is a process not a one time reality. It does not include any actions without family involvement, and gender affirming care can be as simple as dressing the way you feel comfortable, or growing a beard.
All people, including cis people, engage in gender affirming care daily.
How do we protect all youth? Research and Studies:
There have been amazing amounts of research done to establish school and community policies that protect all people to include 2SLGBTQIA+. Check out the following resources to learn more:
Would you like to know what different terms mean?
Qmunity not only has a great dictionary, but it also has resources for individuals to access to include films, support networks and more.
What is the Ministry of Education's opinion on this?
For a more complete read on what the Ministry of Education actually says and practices on SOGI, here is the Ministry website with their SOGI policies:
How are discussions on SOGI kept age appropriate?
Districts, Schools, BCTF and other stakeholders continuously review materials, engage in pedagogical research and build curriculum that ensure age appropriateness. Province wide, resources used in school are approved by the following organisation
Are there resources for parents?
Parents are actively engaged in SOGI work, and protecting all children to include 2SLGBTQIA + children. There are meeting groups, support networks, research and more that help parents along their own journeys. The Sher Vancouver Podcast also has incredible interviews with parents and others who provide a cultural and faith based perspective on 2SLGBTQI+ issues
Parent Resources: Videos, Brochures, Fact Sheet
Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) Resources for Families
What about Indigenous perspectives?
It’s amazing to think of the existence of gender identity since time immemorial. An Indigenous perspective on these unceded lands is important. Here are some resources:
What is the history of Canada in terms of 2SLGBTQIA+ issues?
Canada at one time tried to purge the public service of all queer people. It also criminalised queerness until the late 70s. We need to understand history so that we do not repeat the negatives and move forward in protecting human rights rather than taking them away.
CBC Article: The Fruit Machine: Why every Canadian should learn about this country’s ‘gay purge’
Acknowledgements
We would like to acknowledge that the information provided on this page was researched and compiled by Annie Ohana, Sher Vancouver's Board Member and local social justice educator.