Surrey’s oldest high school is breaking new ground this week, celebrating its first-ever Pride Week, and opening a gender-neutral restroom.
Rainbow streamers have filled the Hub, and on Tuesday, students decorated colourful, tie dye T-shirts. Students and staff planned to wear them to show their LGBT support at Thursday’s official opening of the new, all-gender restroom, located on the second floor.
“When there are [U.S.] states taking a step back, it’s nice to know Tweedsmuir is taking a step forward,” said Liam Ponzini, a representative from the school’s Gay Straight Alliance. He will be cutting the ribbon May 5 alongside school principal Allan Buggie during a opening ceremony that will be followed by short, symbolic parade from the new washroom to the school’s Hub.
The single-occupant washroom makes its debut after about three years of lobbying by students.
Ponzini said its symbolic value is important. “Having this bathroom in this school is more of a symbol that you can be who you are and you don’t have to be judged or harassed.”
Grade 11 student Mackenzie Jasper, a Tweedsmuir GSA rep, said she hopes it will help put an end to discrimination before it begins.
She credited the work of the GSA and teachers for supporting the project.
Read More Here: http://www.surreyleader.com/news/378195321.html#DVP
