NPA Trustees Ken Denike and Sophia Woo faced more questions from the crowd, this after being censured by the board itself.
It stems from an online video showing the pair speaking to an activist group, warning that Vision Vancouver was going to change the curriculum to include mandatory learning about gay and lesbian issues.
At the meeting, Denike re-iterated he supports the board’s anti-homophobia policy, while under heavy fire from speakers.
Denike: “Wait a minute. No!”
Bacchus: “We’re not going to debate here, this is question period from the public, it’s not a time for the trustees to question the public.”
Denike: “Wait. What?! If a person comes up, demeans your character, and then you can’t ask a question? Come on.”
Bacchus: “Trustee Denike, please be in order.”
The rest of the board was also faced with criticism from a conservative activist group, with some members from outside the City of Vancouver. They’re upset over graphic links which appeared on a district-used website meant for gay students, “You are allowing sex activists in under the guise of anti-bullying programs that have nothing to do with stopping bullying, but everything to do with changing the value system.”
For her part, Board Chair Patti Bacchus defended the website Out in Schools saying she stands behind any support the district is able to provide.
Meantime, a lawyer representing Denike and Woo has sent a Cease and Desist letter to the remaining trustees, accusing the board of defamation.
The letter claims other trustees have made false statements about the pair’s support of the anti-homophobia policy, and that any damage is being done for their own political gain.
Woo says she supports the policy, “And we do support the policies, and we did not support the censure, and the censure was done without the opportunity to defend ourselves, and there was no evidence proven that there was any mis-representations.”
The letter also criticises the board’s censure of Woo and Denike, claiming the motion was given no notice.
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