Barry Neufeld. Photo Chilliwack School District
A Chilliwack school trustee is facing a human rights complaint for controversial comments he has made about gender identity and sexual orientation.
The B.C. Teachers' Federation and Chilliwack Teachers' Association allege in their joint complaint that trustee Barry Neufeld's statements and social media posts have been "discriminatory" and are likely to expose transgender individuals to hatred.
The complaint filed with the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal alleges that Neufeld negatively affected teachers' work environments by calling those who support transgender students "child abusers."
It claims Neufeld has referred to trans people as part of a "biologically absurd theory," and his statements paint trans people as "ill, delusional and suggests that there is a transgender agenda that will harm children."
Much of Neufeld's criticisms have centred on an educational resource aimed at supporting LGBTQ students in the district, which he says should have been reviewed by parents and teachers.
Reached by phone, Neufeld says he remains an active trustee and he refers all comments to his lawyer, who was not immediately available.
