N.B. minister makes 3 changes to LGBTQ-protection policy
Changes regarding self-identification, sports participation and gender-neutral washrooms take effect July 1

After weeks of controversy, New Brunswick's minister of education unveiled three changes to a policy protecting LGBTQ students in schools, including no longer making it mandatory for teachers and staff to respect the chosen names and pronouns of children under 16 without parental consent.
Bill Hogan said this will allow teachers to "maintain professionalism," and not have to "do something contrary to parents' wishes."
The review removes a line that says the school must get the student's consent before trying to get a parent's permission to change the child's name on school records. It now says if a child doesn't consent to involving parents, they should be referred to social workers or a mental health professional.
"We have no intention of telling parents about a child's gender identity if they don't wish us to do so. We're going to encourage them to speak with supportive professionals if they wish, and that's how we're going to proceed," Hogan said.
When asked whether the changes mean teachers can use a child's preferred name or pronoun informally in the classroom without parental consent, Hogan said, "According to the policy, they will use the name of the student given at birth."
However, the policy does not explicitly say teachers are forbidden from referring to a child by their chosen name or pronoun informally. It says only that parental consent is needed "for their preferred first name to be officially used for record-keeping purposes and daily management."
The policy gives examples of report cards, school software and class lists but not verbal communication.
A Department of Education spokesperson confirmed late Thursday that according to the policy, teachers and staff are only forbidden from using a child's chosen name, without parental consent, "in an official capacity."