New Policy Paper advocates for LGBTQ+ Students

Earlier this week, the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA) released their LGBTQ+ Student Policy Paper. The paper was developed in response to the significant levels of discrimination, exclusion, and increased health and safety risks experienced by students who are LGBTQ+ on university campuses across Ontario. LGBT youth face approximately 14 times higher risk of suicide and substance abuse than their heterosexual peers, according to Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Ontario. 

Guided by student voices, and informed by best practices highlighted in existing literature, this paper offers recommendations to improve equity, safety, and inclusion for LGBTQ+ students in Ontario. It focuses on policy solutions that can increase the visibility and reach of Queer communities and aims to make the Ontario campus climate more inclusive and respectful for all students, irrespective of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. The policy paper provides a rich narrative on many of the experiences of LGBTQ+ students and provides 18 recommendations.

Click to read the full policy paper. 

For more information visit OUSA’s website.