The Durham District School Board is proud to recognize International Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31.

On this day, we honour the invaluable achievements and contributions of Two-Spirit and transgender individuals (including gender non-binary, gender non-conforming, and gender diverse) in our communities, in Ontario, and around the world.

This day is also an important educational opportunity to learn more about the historical and ongoing discrimination and hate against Two-Spirit and transgender people, to listen to and reflect on their unique, diverse, and authentic lived experiences, and to challenge and debunk inaccurate, harmful, and discriminatory assumptions, stereotypes, and prejudice.

The DDSB affirms our unwavering support for Two-Spirit and transgender people and communities. We champion human rights and stand against transphobia and hate.

We are committed to preventing and addressing discrimination and hate based on gender identity, gender expression, and all Human Rights Code protected grounds. We each have individual and shared responsibilities to foster learning and working spaces where Two-Spirit and transgender students, parents/guardians, staff, and community members are seen, heard, represented, and treated with dignity and respect.

These commitments inform our practices and decision-making at every level.

As we recognize this important day, let us recommit to our responsibilities to uphold human rights and to demonstrate understanding, empathy, and care for one another. Together, we can build a future where every individual is free to live with dignity and where our schools, workplaces, and communities are safe, inclusive, respectful, and welcoming for everyone, every day.