Gender identity guidelines coming to P.E.I. schools in September

New guidelines for recognizing diverse gender identities in P.E.I. schools will be rolled out in September.

The goalis to create a more inclusive and safe learning environment for all students, and to demonstrate respect for diverse sexual orientations and gender identities.

The guidelines were developed after about a year of work by the Public Schools Branch (PSB) andPEERS Alliance.

"They looked that document over and they made a lot of changes and helped us to understand a lot of things," Terri MacAdam, the Public Schools Branch's director of student services, told the legislature's standing committee on education Tuesday.

"Prior to that we had been following the Alberta guidelines, but felt very strongly that our students and our staff should have their own guidelines."

The P.E.I. Transgender Network also provided input.

PSB has also partnered with PEERS Alliance to continue providingin-school education sessions for students.

"We also need to make sure that there is some sort of scaffolding and support for that before our staff go in and do the presentations and some debrief and after work that can happen afterwards,"Josie Baker, executive director of PEERS Alliance, told the standing committee.

"We will be putting together a resource list for the Public Schools Branch and the hope is that there is a little bit more support for some of those training."

She said the guidelines send an important message that there's an effort and desire to have a safer learning environment forLGBTQ+students and staff.

Baker saidthere must be action attached to the guidelines to see a real difference.

"Having something in place that directly addresses that homophobia and transphobia are not appropriate in the school environment," said Baker.

More from CBC P.E.I.