In light of the proposed legislation from the Alberta government that would ensure students who join gay-straight alliances are not outed without their permission, some students and members of the GSA at Lacombe Composite High School say they’re in favour of it.

Both Noah Berreth and Kenzie are members of the club and agree, for the safety of students, the responsibility of sharing that type information should be on the individual and not the school.

“There are some parents who don’t agree with it and there are kids who are trying to hide it. If you do that (tell the parents without asking), it puts a student or child in danger and I feel that is worse than having the truth out to the parents,” said Berreth.

“I think it’s completely up to the person if they want to tell their parents their sexual orientation or if they want anyone to know. If you don’t feel comfortable with it, keep it to yourself and if you do, it’s fine to let other people know,” said Kenzie.

Berreth said they’re not the only students who feel this way.

“Even the students who are heterosexual have huge support for us. They come out to our meetings, they come out and talk to us and they ask questions. It’s most important they know what’s going on so they can help us and understand what we’re doing.”

Brock Howard is also a student at the high school, not part of the GSA, but like Berreth and Kenzie, believes it’s a choice the student needs to make and is all for the proposed bill.

“They have the right to live their lives as they choose and if they want to make it public that’s their choice. They should feel comfortable to be whoever they are, whether they choose to make it public or not.”

UCP leader Jason Kenney has stated in the past that parents should be notified if their child joins a GSA, something Alberta Education Minister David Eggen said would be a huge step back in protecting the rights and safety of students.

Considering the bill gets passed, the amendments would come into effect on April 1 of 2018.