A motion to amend the Education Act to offer some additional resources to LGBTQ2S+ was debated Wednesday in the legislature.

The private member’s bill was introduced by NDP MLA Emily Tredger, and was the subject of a lunchtime demonstration outside the legislature.

The students, Tredger said, “came down from Porter Creek to talk about how important this bill is to them, how important it is for them to have safe spaces in their schools, and how they are willing to make signs and show up with flags and stand in front of our legislature to talk about how important it is.

“They gave me this bracelet, which I am so excited to be wearing. I told them that, when I talked today, I would be wearing this bracelet and I would be thinking about them.”

Tredger said the inspiration for the bill came from students, such as the ones in attendance.

“I was speaking with students and talking about what they were facing, and the stories they told me were sometimes very hard to hear,” she said.

“They told me stories of being supported, of having family and community who supported them, and other students told me that they didn’t have that. They told me that they wanted community,” the MLA said.

“They told me about their desire for peer support. They also told me stories of desperation, stories of being afraid for their mental health and not knowing where to turn for help, and so I said, ‘what can we do?’”

They told her it would be helpful for them to know they have support at school, and knowing they have a safe place to go while in school, she said.

“I think that is so important, because the LGBTQ2S+ community has faced such challenges over the years and continues to face such challenges. It is true; lots of things have gotten better, and I am so grateful for the work of activists, community members, and allies who have really pushed us to a place where we haven’t been in a long time, but it is still tough, and it is especially tough for youth.”

The bill, Tredger added, “wants to make sure that every student, no matter what school you go to and no matter which teachers happen to be there that year, that you’ll have a safe space in your classroom.”

Education Minister Jeanie McLean said, “Our government has done a tremendous amount of work to make Yukon laws inclusive and to make the territory a safe and supportive home for the LGBTQ2S+ community.

“Students in the LGBTQ2S+ community are a marginalized group in schools,” McLean added.

“I recognize that and see the need to continue making changes that will continue to improve the lives of our students.”

All youth and staff deserve a safe and supportive school, the minister said.

‘I take this very seriously. I think this is the core of my job as the minister. I’m absolutely committed to putting policies and programs in place so that students and staff feel safe, welcome, and included.

“I support the intention of this bill, and hope that, through our questions in committee of the whole, we can learn more about the development and have a good, healthy debate.”

Yukon Party Leader Currie Dixon said, “Safe spaces for students is imperative for government and for our education system to ensure.

“Ensuring that, in particular, LGBTQ2S+ students have access to safe spaces is, without doubt, something that we support,” Dixon added.

“I think that all students should have access to safe and welcoming learning environments when they come to school, not only for the fact that this supports a healthy learning environment, but also because it is simply the right thing to do.”

He said he supports the bill’s intent.

“However, like the minister, I do have some questions and concerns about the process by which we arrived here,” he said.

“I will have some questions about some of the content as well.”

While the bill was debated Wednesday, the motion has not yet been voted on to continue to third reading.