A controversial 91原创 anti-SOGI activist used photos of a former 91原创 student in a presentation, incorrectly claiming students were 鈥渋n drag鈥� frequently in B.C. schools.
Kari Simpson of Culture Guard gave a presentation in Coquitlam Wednesday. It was recorded on the group鈥檚 Facebook Page.
Simpson used the photos of at least two students from a 91原创 high school in the presentation.
鈥淭his is how they go to school,鈥� Simpson told her audience, incorrectly claiming that there are no longer dress codes in schools.
鈥淚f they want to dress up in drag, as drag queens, they鈥檙e allowed to,鈥� she said. 鈥淓very day.鈥�
Simpson told the Advance the photos were used with permission.
鈥淎ctually I talked to one of the kids months ago about the posting, and he said, 鈥楪o ahead, do whatever,鈥欌�� Simpson said.
The conversation came in the context of a dispute on social media between the student and another person.
The former student鈥檚 parents are upset about the inclusion of the photos in the Culture Guard presentation. They were contacted by a teacher at the school who had seen one of the Culture Guard presentations that included the photos.
鈥淪he [Simpson] takes a lot of things out of context,鈥� said Cliff Empey, the father of Cameron, one of the students in the photos.
鈥淚鈥檓 kind of outraged,鈥� said Cathy Empey, the student鈥檚 mother.
One of the pictures was taken on Hallowe鈥檈n, and the other was taken at a Pride event, Cathy said.
鈥淭hey don鈥檛 dress like that at school,鈥� she said.
The Empeys are calling for Simpson to stop using the photos and to issue a public apology.
鈥淲e鈥檙e looking into the lawyer route,鈥� said Cathy.
The family supports the SOGI 123 program and has spoken to B.C. Parents for Inclusivity, a local group founded by Stacey Wakelin about the issue.
Simpson was asked if she knew the photos were from Hallowe鈥檈n.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 not what I understand,鈥� Simpson said. 鈥淎nd regardless, it鈥檚 not what schools are for.鈥�
She said she鈥檚 had no contact with the student or family since her video was posted.
School board chair Rob McFarlane said he is still looking into the situation, and can鈥檛 comment on the specifics.
But in general, he said photos of students should not be used without permission.
鈥淭here鈥檚 rules around when student photos can be used,鈥� McFarlane said.
91原创 School District does have a dress code, referred to as 鈥渄ress guidelines鈥� on the district鈥檚 website.
鈥淐lothing should demonstrate a respect for the school community,鈥� the guidelines read in part. 鈥淐lothing should meet standards of suitability that are typical of an office workplace and should not be offensive to others.鈥�
The guidelines also ban any clothing that promotes alcohol or drugs, encourages sexism, racism or bigotry, and bears direct or indirect messages related to violence, gang culture, sex, or pornography.
The district鈥檚 code of conduct also forbids 鈥渄iscriminatory conduct on the basis of race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, political beliefs, and age.鈥�
鈥淒iscriminatory conduct includes publishing or displaying anything that could discriminate against another based on accommodation, service and facility, or expose them to contempt or ridicule, on the basis of the above grounds,鈥� says the code of conduct.
The presentation focused on Simpson鈥檚 claims about Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI123) a set of materials in use by B.C. schools.
Simpson and her conservative group have protested against SOGI numerous times around the Lower Mainland and farther afield around the province.
She recently claimed to have invited the Hells Angels to an anti-SOGI protest in Vancouver, saying members of the outlaw motorcycle gang were parents too.
