It's day two of research at the Archives of Ontario. I am greatly entertained by what is topping the headlines across this province right now. People are talking about talking about sex, and it's really funny and unfortunate at the same time.
MPP Monte McNaughton (PC-Lambton-Kent-Middlesex) has been at it again, using sex education as a wedge issue in the final days of his party's leadership race. In a message not officially sanctioned by right-leaning, social conservative candidate Patrick Brown (Conservative MP, Barrie), he warned party members that candidate Christine Elliott (MPP, Whitby-Oshawa) would turn the party into a "little pink tent" if she became leader. That's McNaughton's veiled way of saying the party would allegedly be overtaken by social conservatives--especially homosexuals with whom he associates the colour pink. Mr. McNaughton has denied his remarks were meant to be homophobic, but it does not appear that his caucus colleagues or the court of public opinion are accepting the argument. Yesterday, several of his PC colleagues wore pink in the Legislative Assembly in protest. Mr. McNaughton's behaviour on this particular issue has been bizarre, unprofessional, and immature. Anyone, even if they hold beliefs that fall within the social conservative classification, should also hold the belief that respect is also a "family value." Respecting differences is possible without endorsing them. Mr. McNaughton has not shown behaviour becoming of an elected official, who regardless of partisan affiliation or private beliefs, should hold respect and tolerance for all individuals within a pluralistic, civil society. His remarks also indicate the sad state his party is in. If the Ontario PC's want to remain a rural rump of angry people who spend more time objecting to things than making positive ideas, MPP's like Mr. McNaughton will ensure the party remains that way for years to come. His continued obsession and paranoia over topics like sex education and whom sleeps with whom within his own party have deflected attention away from the real problems and issues facing the province of Ontario. Hold the Liberals accountable for scandals and public money that has been poorly spent.
This brings me to the angry people, mostly parents. I am not a parent so I cannot authoritatively comment from their perspective, but I am concerned that the reactionary response to the province's new sex education curriculum are the result of misinformation and insecurity. Parents should read the curriculum, and not rely on hearsay from the media or lobby groups. Parents should also take some time to think about if they have--or will, feel comfortable discussing sexual development with their children. The controversial aspects of the curriculum could be the government response to parents who have not adequately talked to their children about these things. From what I have read, much of the material in in the new curriculum simply officialises and puts into proper terminology what most children are already hearing about on the playground, school bus, or television. Protesting by not sending ones children to school is not the solution. The curriculum does not even go into use until the next school year. All that not sending children to school does is deny them a day of learning and places the blame on teachers and principals, who just teach and administer the curriculum, they don't usually write it.
The reactionary parochialism in Ontario is rather disturbing. I've been researching government files from the 1970's and early 1980's and noticed that the function of government and the citizenry was much more informed during those years. Attitudes were much more positive and informed. If something was controversial, the government created a task force to examine it. Has the corporatization of government and the rise in reactionary fundamentalism in quarters of all religious faiths made government less responsive and citizens less informed?
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