National Post takes heat for running transphobic ad

Wow. I'm stunned that a paper would run that, even the Post.

"Don't teach me to question..." I love it. Just teach me to bake a goddamn batch of cookies for the boys.

So according to some people because others dont agree that every form of sexual expression should be indoctrinated into our kids someone is a homophobic or transophobic. So why dont we include stories of beastiality and pictures of s&m for our kids since every form of sexuality is good for them to learn to be tolerant and respectful of others lifestyles.

I had a look at the curriculum and I fail to see how anything in there teaches kids to question anything. It's actually pretty awesome. There's a lot of valuable lessons to be learned in there regarding tolerance, community and gender equality. I love the lessons about different kinds of families and I bet it helps a lot of kids feel much less alienated. So it's not all about Pride day, but that's in there, and I actually appreciate that, because it's on the brink of becoming recognized as the TD Canada Trust Sexy Parade.

all KINDS of fail in your comment, daniel. sounds like YOU could've benefited from the equitable and inclusive curriculum.

this made my day. I saw the original ad and spent the morning beyond pissed. I was upset that some people could be so closed minded and I'm glad there are people that see it the same way I do

These excerpts are taken out of context. What age are each of these things intended for? Is every bit of this part of a 1st grade curriculum? Of course not, don't be a fool. My mother is a teacher and so is my father in law, and this ad in very misleading. The point is to teach children about the differences between sexes, that some of it is a construct of society, and that not everyone fits neatly into little boxes. The point is to educate them, in an age-appropriate manner, about our human differences so that they can understand and accept different people. I, for one, was taught all of this from a very young age, and I feel that I've always been a more understanding person for it. Kids can understand more than we give them credit for.

Also, I take offense to the rational that beastiality and S&M fall into the same category. Sexual Orientation and Sexuality are two different things, and Gender Identity and Experession are a whole other category. Teaching about beastiality and S&M is teaching about SEX. Teaching about orientation and gender doesn't need to be so graphic. So yes, since you think these things are comparable, I would say that you are homophobic and transphobic, because you clearly don't understand and now fear the LGBTQ community and the idea that their basic human rights might be taught to our kids. Maybe an education on the subject at a younger age would've helped you to not be so ignorant.

Leave it alone. The curriculum is great! Not every family is the cookie cutter that these people want it to be. This curriculum will give kids the knowledge and make them much more accepting of what a traditional curriculum would consider different. They will probably grow up to be less critical of people and perhaps many of them will actually feel some comfort knowing they arent the only ones who feel different than the 'norm'.

yer an idiot.

Stopped reading after "Don't teach me to question..."

Sounds like the same education I got in Catholic school when I was told I was going to die a horrible death and spend eternity in Hell for "asking questions".

In fact, being taught how to question (had to do this outside of our fine school system or my strict home) has turned me into the opposite of a piece of shit.

second ad: "mr premiere"...now there's a case of gender ambiguity.

I think a lot of people here missed my point and use of.the word indoctrinating. I believe that all humans should be respected regardless of their sexual nature. I personally believe that kids should be allowed to be kids and shouldn't have to be subjected to sexually related topics until later on. I do not question whether people are inclined to a certain lifestyle if thats how the boss made you thats what it is. But we shouldnt be forcing children to be exposed to details on this. That is the parents role to engage their child in what they deem appropriate and how to approach a child who may have a different inclination than the opposite sex. Teaching a kid to be tolerant and accepting of all people is a must but trying to force people to accept the way others engage in sexual expression is totally inappropriate for children this is what i meant. There is a difference being accepted and trying to force your lifestyle on people.

Ah, the old 'forcing your lifestyle' bit. Forcing a child to learn something? Forcing a child to understand that people are different? Get a new schtick, Daniel. You're why we have sexual diversity education...

And by "straight heterosexuality", I meant "heterosexual and cissexual". *sigh*

It's called social studies.

Daniel you have to understand that parents do not teach their children tolerance, it is left in the schools hands. That is why bulling and homophobia exists in schools and why it is the main reason for adolescent suicide. If children understood our differences in sexuality at a young age this would save so many lives.

To many children are born in a straight world with straight parents understanding straight values, well, the world is not straight anymore. Including their children beginning at birth.

Daniel you have to understand that parents do not teach their children tolerance, it is left in the schools hands. That is why bulling and homophobia exists in schools and why it is the main reason for adolescent suicide. If children understood our differences in sexuality at a young age this would save so many lives.

To many children are born in a straight world with straight parents understanding straight values, well, the world is not straight anymore. Including their children beginning at birth.

Little do we all know, that little girl grew up to be FTM.

Erm... this site's commenting code has eaten yet another of my comments, the one where I made the "straight heterosexuality" error.

Oh well. Everyone else made the same point I was going to make - that orientation is not a "lifestyle", and that the only "lifestyle" that has been forced upon anyone over at least the past several hundred years is straight and cissexual, with deviation from that narrow standard punished by everything from ostracism, to arrest and confinement, to execution and murder.

Miki I dont see where we differ in view points. Tolerance and sexual expression are two different things. I was simply arguing that labeling people as phobic because they dont think kids should be subjected to learning about different forms of sexual expression is right. Thats why I made reference to beastiality and s&m. Tolerance of who others are is essential.

You're confusing sexual expression with sexual orientation and gender identity. You urgently need to learn the difference between these different concepts.

JDP I endorse your intention to leave Canada at your earliest possible convenience

"Tolerance of who others are is essential." How is tolerance going to happen if we don't understand what the 'other' is? It sounds as though you are mixing up the word tolerance for ignorance(in the sense of ignoring the other will make it easier for me to continue perpetuating my ideas of what 'normal' is).

You've demonstrated this point in many of your comments. Are you not aware that kids are exposed to heteronormative ideas since they are born? Are you also going to argue that we should not be 'indoctrinating' kids with gender reinforcing stereotypes through their exposure to everyday life/ media?

AND

These ads are horribly designed.

homophobe.... am i right?

homophobe.... am i right?

homophobe.... am i right?

What's with all of the multiple duplicate posts?

That's really disgusting for the National Post to do.

I hope they atleast got paid a very large stipend to explain why they would run something so ridiculously hateful as that

you just likened hard core sexual fetishes with natural sexual diversity. in effect you are calling those people fetishes instead of legitimate minority group. if you didn't mean to suggest that, you should take a hard look at your views before you open your mouth.

Hey Daniel, you make it sound as though schools are graphically explaining to 6 year olds what gay sex is all about. You're right when you say "kids are kids"... which is why gay porn probably isn't part of TDSB's curriculum. You're an idiot. Probably one of those people who say "I have no problem with gay people, I just don't want to see them have sex!" I'm really glad everyone on this thread is giving you the proverbial public flogging.

Truth is you can't confuse the little girl or anyone about their sexuality or gender; you know who you are and who you are not on your very own. We need to learn about all the differences that exist in the world so we can truly be compassionate with one another. When we hide behind ignorance we only end up creating fear and anger and the problems that exist in the world today.

I dressed up as a girl for Halloween in the 3rd grade. My junk is still intact, and I don't see it going anywhere.

I can't understand how Royal Bank of Canada, Scotiabank, CIBC and the other so-called CSR leaders in this country can support the Post? Do they condone this kind of ad? or who cares the Post is just trying to make money...who cares.

Another response is available here: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Yp6P1q7YoLBXR5M3blFtYg?feat=directlink

@Michelle: Yes, they do need to be teaching this as part of the curriculum. Kids figure out by age 7 that they're not like "everyone else". (In Canada, at least) They also do get the message that boy+girl=normal boy+boy=evil and a slur girl+girl=sexy but weird (yes, even at that age) boy=girl is weak and girl=boy is ugly.

When those are the messages they get from their peers (through bullying and taunts), the language of their parents (inadvertently promoting boy+girl), religious leaders (often intentionally promoting those attitudes) and even their teachers they end up "closeted".

What that then means is they become afraid and ashamed. They're broken and need fixing. And, a 7 year old that feels broken is a child in trouble. So, getting the message that there are others like them out there means (a) they're not alone; and, (b) they're able to live a meaningful life.

This thread is going about as well as one would expect on this also-ran site.

Mark, are you aware that you are part of the problem in the world. You are the part of the nutty right, and I agree some on here are part of the nutty left. But you are as much of a fringe character as the 1% you describe. You're just the 1% on the other end of spectrum. And by the way it's "you're" not "your". A lot of people will prejudge your words and disregard you as unintelligent based on typos alone. So a styronger argument would be made if it was free of typos. Sounds unfair, but that's how the world works.

And your correction wouldn't even make sense.

Mark's: Your being offended doesn't stop it from being true

Devon's: You are being offended doesn't stop it from being true.

One of these just doesn't belong. Can you guess?!

English police out!

I am a MTF transsexual AND I am a parent of three girls and I AGREE with the ad and disagree with the so called Human Rights Education on the grounds that it is not age appropriate for young children and that it is MY responsibility, not that of the educational systems. IF this sort of curriculum is only offered at high school level, then I would agree, but otherwise, I am AGAINST THIS sort of education below 8th grade.

LOL, The National Post? They're still in business??? Who the hell reads that piece of shit newspaper anyways?????

The add in question has nothing to do with gay people. Gays are people who are attracted to the same sexual characteristics that they possess. Transsexuals have nothing to do with attraction or sex. What motivates a trans person is a hormonal imbalance in utero that caused the body to be hard wired for one gender but the mind to be hard wired for another. If anyone saw the add and thought 'homosexual' then you are mistaken. This add has nothing to do with sex. Thank you to the gay people who were sticking up for us trans people, but you only confuse the issue further when you start mentioning your own people over us. And yes, I am a transsexual woman.

So remember kids!
gay =/= trans