NORAH BOWMAN

1. How have you advocated for the LGBTQ+ community and supported inclusion for the LGBTQ+ community in the past (i.e. have you spoken out publicly for policies at your place of business, testified before government bodies, adopted written policies for your employees, marched for equal rights, etc.)? Please feel free to include events you have participated in and relevant organizations who have endorsed you.

I teach Gender and Sexualities, and I have amended my own teaching to be more inclusive and to ask students which pronouns they prefer. I have marched in Pride parades for many years . . . not sure how many, to be honest! 

In 2015 I organized a transgender rights forum in Kelowna, the first such public event, and moderated a forum of young trans people to the audience of over 60 people.

I served on the board of LPRC (Living Positive Resource Centre) for 2 years, and in this capacity advocated for funding and a permanent location for Etcetera, the youth LGBTQ+ support group. I have met with Etcetera. I have invited speakers from Men's Health Initiative and from LPRC into my college classroom, to speak with students. I have invited a representative of TransParent Okanagan to speak to my college students. 

I identify as an intersectional feminist, which means that I examine my own privilege as a cis white woman and I seek to identify and address inequities as I become aware of them. 

2. Please comment on your opinion of the SOGI123 resources from the Ministry of Education.

I have a PhD (2014) and I am a Gender and Sexualities professor. I have reviewed all the scientific studies, I have studied curriculum around the world, and I have concluded that the current SOGI 123 resource for educators in BC contributes to helping  to help our children grow up to be confident, healthy individuals in a society that values human rights of expression. 

SOGI 123 respects and follows the BC Human Rights act. It is not a curriculum. A curriculum includes learning outcomes, lesson plans, and required books and assignments. SOGI 123 is a set of practices and suggested resources that allow educators to make schools safe, inclusive spaces.

 School boards absolutely do not have the authority to overturn Charter Rights, or to force teachers to ignore Charter Rights. Trustees running on such a platform are disingenuous, at best, and are misleading voters. SOGI 123 can't be "rejected" by school boards, as it is a teaching initiative and resource. 

I care about children and young people, so I support SOGI 123.

 
3. The LGBTQ community in Kelowna continues to face harassment, bullying and violence because of sexual orientation and/or gender identity. How will you work to promote a safer, more inclusive Kelowna?

I will continue to advocate, on social media, at speaking events, in the classroom, and in the media, for the necessity to respect sexual orientation and gender identity and gender identity expression. I am a feminist, and to me, feminism means standing up against violence against people based on their perceived or real group membership. As a trustee, I would introduce gender neutral language, advocate for gender neutral bathrooms in schools, and urge fellow educators to add preferred gender pronouns to their own personal correspondence. I would politely correct people if they use hurtful language without understanding the impact. I would stand up more firmly if such language is known to he hurtful and is still employed.

 
4. Mental health and addictions issues have impacted our community like many others. The LGBTQ+ community is disproportionately affected due to many social and economic factors. What will you do to improve and address these issue, and improve the mental health and wellness of our community?

I will continue to address the struggles many people face to access and navigate mental health care for themselves. I will work to increase the counsellor-student ratio in public schools, and I will encourage training for educators that helps them learn how to destigmatize mental health struggles.  I will connect educators and board policy makers with The Foundry, Pride, Etcetera, The Bridge, and TransParent Okanagan.  "Nothing about us without us" is a slogan I would use to guide my actions. It means that I would work to support LGBTQ+ mental health support in consultation with affected groups of youth and families. 

5. LGBTQ+ youth and young adults routinely leave Kelowna for larger cities once they have reached the age of majority. What factors do you think lead to this mass exodus, and what would you do to address these issues?

I don't have research based information for this answer, and I don't want to presume to know what is on the minds of LGBTQ+ youth. I'll provide some informed guesses. One is the lack of affordable, safe, stable housing for students and people starting careers; this negatively affects young people in Kelowna disproportionately. The other might be the sense of a more vibrant and diverse LGBTQ+ culture and social scene in larger cities. If youth want to move out of Kelowna, I don't necessarily want to discourage that move - curiousity is part of youth. However, if youth would rather stay in Kelowna, then as a community we should be continuing to support The Foundry, Etcetera, Pride and other queer cultural and support centres. LGBTQ+ activities and culture should be built into all arts, culture and sports policy and funding, not as a sidebar extra, but as core to all urban development. In school district 23, I would work to ask that LGBTQ+ inclusion is part of all events, policy, and education, including sports and cultural events. 

6. Ally is a verb. How would you specifically support our QTBIMPoC (Queer, Trans, Black, Mixed Race, Indigenous, People of Color), immigrants and refugees, and ensure they see themselves represented in our community?

I will continue to engage in social activism, including speaking out, talking to media, advocating for people, and engaging in direct action when necessary. I will continue my own process of reflection and improvement as I learn how to dismantle my own oppressive beliefs and behaviours I have developed from a lifetime of white privilege. I will encourage and implement hiring practices, consensus meeting practices, and publishing practises that minimize racism, poverty shaming, and oppressive language and policy. I will continue to advocate for a compassionate, kind, inclusive community. I will liaise with The Foundry, Pride, Etcetera, The Bridge, and TransParent Okanagan.