HIGH SCHOOL DEBATE: Students, parents weigh-in on trans teacher

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Police officers were stationed outside Oakville Trafalgar High School Monday morning after a video was posted last week of a teacher who is transitioning into a woman and wearing large, prosthetic breasts in class.

“I haven’t really heard any students talk about that. I think we don’t care about that,” said Grade 10 student Yuxuan Xie.

“It’s definitely causing a big debate,” added Owen Laplante, who’s in Grade 12.

“Some people are uncomfortable with it. And other people think she should be able to express herself how she wants to.”

Laplante said the school sent an email stating it is standing by the teacher.

“I’m OK with it. it doesn’t bother me.”

Another student said most do not care.

“I’ve never had the teacher. I feel like people kind of using it to be derogatory — and what-not — shouldn’t because it’s none of our business,” she said.

“I feel like what people decide to do with their own body, it’s their own choice.”

Last week, a student posted a video of the industrial arts teacher — who began identifying as female last year — in class operating a circular saw and wearing large prosthetic breasts.

One parent said she received a Halton District School Board (HDSB) email last week supporting the teacher.

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“It’s understandable – the school taking that official stance on this issue. I totally understand,” she said, adding some parents have been discussing it on social media.

“It’s the teacher’s choice to identify her or himself as whatever they want to be. However, I still feel a bit uncomfortable. I think he went a little bit too far. Identifying himself is OK, but wearing that in the classroom – I still have a little bit of a concern for that,” she said.

Alison Hodd — who’s running to be shool board trustee — said it is a complex issue.

“Some of them are only 13 years old,” Hodd said of some students. “And to me, to have a teacher wearing things like that could be looked at as kinky.”

She added that, “It’s OK for us to be supportive of trans rights – and also be respectful of our education system and our students. We can do both at the same time.”

The board had said it had expected protesters and anti-protesters.

“I do know there have been phone calls made to the school that haven’t been the most pleasant in nature,” said HDSB Chair Margo Shuttleworth, on Saturday.

She added it was the board’s aim to “make sure she (the teacher) is protected” and “ensure that everybody remains safe.”

A lone demonstrator stood outside the school.

“I am protesting this teacher right now,” said the man who did not share his name.

“I think it is fundamentally wrong that an individual is able to work at an institution as such with such a huge fake bust on.”