Halton Catholic board drops GSA ban

The Halton Catholic District School Board has voted to end a ban on gay-straight alliances — for now.

That follows a controversial decision earlier this month to exclude the groups from an inclusion policy drafted by the Ontario government. It made news and generated reaction from around the world. Tuesday’s recommendation undid a decision made by the previous board of trustees in November, shortly before their terms ended.

Those opposed to the rescinded ban say the fight isn’t over yet. Fomer Bishop Reding student James Hopkins says “There are way worse things happening to gay lesbian bisexual transgender questioning youth everyday than I could ever fathom happening to me and I just feel like it is necessary as someone who has experienced something like that.

“Things shouldn’t be getting worse as time goes by they should be getting better. ”

The ministry’s policy will be used until the Halton Catholic District School Board can draft one of its own.