May 11: Gay Straight Alliance Symposium features Jeremy Dias

Students in Rainbow secondary schools will gather at Lasalle Secondary School on Wednesday, May 11, 2011 to take part in a Gay Straight Alliance Symposium featuring keynote speaker Jeremy Dias. Dias will speak about his experience of racism and homophobia growing up in Northern Ontario and what he is now doing to support students in the school system to build a more welcoming environment. His presentation will begin at 9 am.

“Rainbow Schools are inclusive communities with students, staff and parents/guardians from different backgrounds and a diversity of religion, race, family status and sexual orientation,” said Superintendent Lesleigh Dye who is responsible for equity and inclusive education in Rainbow District School Board. “This diversity, a reflection of our local, national, and international society, enriches the learning experience in our schools.”

Gay Straight Alliances have been established in a number of Rainbow secondary schools. They are designed to support students who may identify as being gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, two-spirited or questioning, and students who may have friends, parents or other family members from these communities.

“Gay Straight Alliances in our secondary schools contribute to a positive school climate and benefit all students,” said Superintendent Dye. “We will continue to build safe and caring places where all students can reach their full potential.”

Jeremy Dias was born in Edmonton, Alberta, and grew up there until moving to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, where he attended high school. As a youth, he was motivated by social and political inequality to take action, volunteering with numerous organizations and charities. In high school, he started and led a number of clubs including Stop Racism and Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving. He also founded and coordinated the Sault Ste. Marie first regional LGBTQ youth group.

After coming out in high school, Jeremy faced extreme cases of discrimination by school officials. At 17, he began a legal case against his school and school board, and at 21 won Canada’s largest human rights settlement. Jeremy used the money to found Jer’s Vision: Canada’s Youth Diversity Initiative and the Jeremy Dias Scholarship.

Jeremy has been featured on Canada AM, Much Music, CTV News, Global News and CBC News; and has been a keynote speaker at countless conferences and events. He is completing a degree in Psychology and Political Science at the University of Ottawa, continues to volunteer for a number of organizations, and is a columnist for 2B Magazine in Montreal. Jeremy Dias currently serves as Jer’s Vision’s Executive Director.

For more information, visit http://www.jersvision.org/.

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Media Contact:

Nicole Charette, Senior Advisor,
Corporate Communications and Strategic Planning,
Rainbow District School Board, 705-674-3171, ext. 7217.