Bold leadership in uncertain times: 2SLGBTQI inclusion

With anti-2SLGBTQI rhetoric on the rise, creating safe, inclusive learning environments for 2SLGBTQI students is more urgent than ever. Egale’s national report Still in Every Class in Every School, conducted with researchers from the University of Winnipeg and the University of Manitoba, surveyed over 3,500 middle and high school students across Canada. The findings reveal ongoing discrimination: 64 per cent of students hear homophobic and transphobic comments regularly.

These experiences lead to increased emotional distress, lower academic performance, and diminished feelings of safety and belonging in school. Outside of the classroom, anti-2SLGBTQI hate is escalating with Pride events being cancelled, anti-trans policies and legislation gaining traction and harmful rhetoric becoming normalized. The message is clear: 2SLGBTQI communities are under threat.

These trends are evident in Alberta: last fall, a suite of anti-trans legislation was passed by the legislature, limiting the ability of gender diverse youth to access medical care, participate in sport and be themselves at school. This has the potential to create a climate of fear where students are scared to be themselves and adults are unsure how to respond. 

So, what do we do? 

We step up in allyship and action as courageous leaders. No matter the position you hold in the education system, we are all 2SLGBTQI inclusion leaders.

Bold and courageous leadership is about showing up with integrity, vision and the courage to do what’s right, even when it’s difficult. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about being deeply principled and willing to lead through discomfort and resistance in pursuit of justice and equity.

Courage to act: Courageous leaders step up when it matters most—they don’t wait for the perfect conditions. They step forward even when it’s unpopular, uncertain or uncomfortable, especially when protecting or uplifting equity-deserving voices. For teachers, this looks like interrupting casual discrimination in the classroom, questioning harmful pronoun policies and advocating for inclusive curriculum that reflects 2SLGBTQI identities.

Vision with purpose: Bold leaders think beyond quick fixes or crisis management. They are proactive and intentional, and dismantle systems that reinforce harm or exclusion. Their values and mission aren’t just stated, they’re lived, even under pressure. In practice, this could look like sending back-to-school communications to families that are grounded in human rights-based language, with an emphasis on representing all identities and families, year-round. Another example is collaborating with the school community in creating a 2SLGBTQI inclusion strategy that is aligned with the school board mission and values.

Accountability and humility: Leaders own their impact, including when they get it wrong. Courageous leadership includes the willingness to learn, grow and repair when necessary. To support this, continued learning must be at the forefront. This means actively seeking out professional development focused on 2SLGBTQI inclusion. It also means building relationships with 2SLGBTQI community organizations to learn from those with lived experience, and to create stronger, trust-based partnerships that extend beyond the classroom.

Together, these qualities form a foundation of courageous leadership when leading through uncertain times, one that is proactive, values-driven and committed to continuous growth.

As the leading national organization for 2SLGBTQI people and issues, Egale has a comprehensive suite of inclusive schools resources specifically tailored for all members of school communities. Our resources include curriculum-aligned classroom materials, educational webinars, whole-school resources and more. For those in leadership positions, our senior leadership summits have proven to be insightful, collaborative and skill building.

Teachers are the champions of inclusion, and Egale has the resources to help you. For more information on our resources, please visit https://egale.ca/inclusive-schools/ or email schools@egale.ca.

Mackenzie Kolton is the Director of Learning at Egale and oversees the development of inclusive school initiatives, inclusive workplace trainings and educational resources. With experience working with over 100 school boards, she coaches and supports senior leaders in education. Previous roles include serving as the manager of program innovation at Big Brothers Big Sisters and working with The Get REAL Movement.