Manitoba marks Day of Pink with new resources for schools
What colour are you wearing today? Many Manitobans are wearing pink to mark the international day against bullying, discrimination, homophobia and transphobia.
The Manitoba government is marking the day by introducing resources to help stop bullying online and in schools.
A new resource guide called MB MyGSA will help students, educators and parents work together to encourage safer and more inclusive schools.
The online guide is based on amendments to the Public Schools Act that requires schools to accommodate students who want to start gay-straight alliances (GSAs) and other equity groups.
The provincial government teamed up with Egale Canada Human Rights Trust to develop the guide, which has information on topics such as the challenges faced by LGBTQ youth and their families, and the tools counsellors can use to help them.
The province says it's also working with other education partners on guidelines to prevent cyberbullying by helping students learn to use technology in a safe and responsible way.
More than 19,000 people and 365 schools and businesses across Manitoba are taking part in the Red Cross Day of Pink, now in its third year in the province.
The annual campaign raises awareness of the "impact of bullying and what people can do to create safe and respectful communities," according to a Red Cross news release.
The Red Cross says for every official Day of Pink T-shirt sold, it can educate one community member to recognize the signs of bullying and respond to it. It has sold more than 19,000 shirts this year.
