Alberta law aims to ban ‘ideology,’ non-government flags in schools | Xtra Magazine

On Tuesday, Alberta education minister Demetrios Nicolaides tabled Bill 25, a sweeping “neutrality in education” bill that could result in Pride flags being banned from schools and teachers being censored from talking about “political” or “ideological” issues in the classroom.

The bill amends the Alberta Education Act with a variety of new clauses and language, particularly around how “ideological” schools in the province can or should be.

“School boards would be expected to stay focused on their core responsibilities and avoid taking positions on political or ideological issues that fall outside of their scope,” Nicolaides said in a press conference announcing the legislation.

The law bans schools from flying or displaying flags other than the Canada or Alberta flags, including what teachers display in their classrooms. The bill requires that schools play the Canadian national anthem at least once a week. It also mandates that school boards and teachers not “take positions” on political or ideological issues.

Is a Pride rainbow an “ideological symbol” according to the Alberta government? Is a trans flag? Is a picture of a gay couple? Could teachers get in trouble for displaying any of these in their classrooms?

We break down what this could mean for LGBTQ2S+ students, teachers and families.

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Xtra Magazine is one of the world’s leading LGBTQ2S+ online publications. Founded in Toronto in 1984 by Pink Triangle Press, the independent, queer-run media company, Xtra is an award-winning digital magazine and community platform covering queer and trans politics, culture, sex, relationships and health.

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