PAC

Hey everyone.

My name is Irene. I'm here tonight for the same reason you're here: to give voice to my thoughts in hopes of protecting what matters to me.

I've been at this school for my entire high school career and Byng has come to matter a lot to me.

And I know that byng matters to my peers, and when I say Byng I mean not only the community but the reputation of Byng too.

As Myim mentioned before, our school has a certain reputation. A reputation for being lively and open and accepting. While for me, I've grown to see Byng as comfortable and homely, there are students that see Byng as a respite from their home life and a step further there are students here who see Byng as a haven, who have dropped everything to come here.

The reality of it is that Byng is a safe haven for many LGBTQ students.

When PAC published their open letter I saw that what I want to protect is exactly what my peers' do as well. There were social networking campaigns to spread word and raise awareness, students came to me as the Gay Straight Alliance President to express they stand by an equal and accepting Byng. Not only that but I have had Byng graduates, in the midst of preparing for finals get in contact with me to say the same things. When they see Byng's name brought up online, in news articles, attached to views that are contrary to the promise of safety they felt when they were here themselves, they worry for their siblings currently attending Byng.

When they come to me, I want to reassure them, and I guess in part myself, that’s there’s nothing to worry about, but I’m not sure I can.

I hope in your discussions tonight, you will keep in mind the repercussions many Byng students are experiencing even now, and the effect PAC is having on potential students.