Trustee punished for anti-LGBTTQ+ content on social media

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 06/06/2023 (1135 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A St. Boniface school trustee has been suspended for three months without pay, owing to recent sensationalistic and anti-LGBTTQ+ activity on her personal social media page.

During a board meeting on Tuesday evening, the Louis Riel School Division’s elected officials voted unanimously to suspend Ward 1 representative Francine Champagne.

The motion states the rookie trustee is being disciplined for breaching an internal code of conduct regarding Policy AC (respect for human diversity) and the use of social media.

Division documents indicate all individuals who access its facilities are expected to contribute to inclusive environments and demonstrate respect for human rights.

Trustees are required to “refrain from expressing opinions and/or sharing information through social media that would discredit, undermine or compromise the integrity of the board.”

In recent weeks, Champagne has taken to Facebook to share conspiracy theories and mock the transgender community.

The trustee, who was elected in October, published an image with text that reads: “To identify as = To live a lie.”

“A male who insinuates himself into female spaces… is one thing and one thing only — A PREDATOR,” states another recent post she shared on Facebook.

Champagne, whose suspension is effective immediately, was not in attendance at the hybrid meeting on June 6.

At the outset of the public event, chairwoman Sandy Nemeth spoke at length about board discussions, which she categorized as “respectful,” that led to the motion to discipline her colleague.

“After the suspension period, the board will engage in professional learning… with the purpose of remediation and renewing our commitment to promoting respect regarding human sexual diversity,” Nemeth said, reading aloud the latter half of the suspension motion.

The board spokeswoman indicated the united vote reaffirms LRSD’s ongoing dedication to “safe and caring schools.”

Champagne did not immediately respond to requests for comment Tuesday.

Grade 12 student Taylor Humphreys applauded trustees for holding their colleague accountable for her actions and showing others that spreading hate about a minority group will not be tolerated.

“Being transgender in current times is really scary and it might feel helpless in that no one’s on your side, but with little things like what happened and the response, it’s really helpful,” she said.

The high schooler added: “It’s important for us, not only transgender people but anyone who’s part of the (LGBTTQ+) community to stand together.”

Dakota Collegiate’s gay-straight alliance — which Humphreys, a transgender woman, is a part of — marched in the Pride parade over the weekend.

Nemeth was among other LRSD representatives who attended the event in solidarity with LGBTTQ+ students, staff and community members.

“What impacts one equity seeking group impacts all of them as we recognize that we could be the next to be targeted by those seeking to spread false narratives and sow division amongst us,” said Marcela Cabezas, president of the Louis Riel Teachers’ Association in a public statement issued late Tuesday.

The union distributed Progress Pride flags to all worksites in recognition of the diversity of its members last month.

LRTA was saddened to learn one flag from École Van Belleghem was stolen this week, Cabezas said, noting both the theft and anti-trans social media posts “embolden our resolve to continue the important diversity, equity, and inclusion work we do in our schools.”

maggie.macintosh@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @macintoshmaggie

Maggie Macintosh
Education reporter

Maggie Macintosh reports on education for the Free Press. Originally from Hamilton, Ont., she first reported for the Free Press in 2017. Read more about Maggie.

Funding for the Free Press education reporter comes from the Government of Canada through the Local Journalism Initiative.

Every piece of reporting Maggie produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press’s history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.