Ryan Clayton knows that stories have power to move people.
So rather than quote statistics, the activist and educator has started a campaign to collect personal stories about people’s experiences with homophobia in schools, put them in purple envelopes, and send them to BC Premier Christy Clark. The purpose of these letters and stories is to call on the provincial government to step in and protect gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students from homophobia and transphobia.
Clayton returned to his hometown Friday to open the campaign with fellow activist Kaitlin Burnett before they take the anti-homophobia campaign on the road through the Interior.
"The campaign is about showing a snapshot of what life is like for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered (GLBT) people and, therefore, why it is important to create a province-wide anti-homophobia policy," says Clayton.
Roughly a dozen school districts in B.C. have developed their own policies, but often only because there is the political will to do so.
"We want to lift the veil of invisibility and let GLBT students know they are not alone. A lot of these students don't have much support and schools need to be a safe and welcoming place," says Burnett.
While there are more active GLBT groups in urban areas, Clayton knows from personal experience what it is like to be openly gay in a small town. When he was 16 he confided his sexuality to a friend, only to have it become the hottest gossip in school.
"I decided I couldn't live a lie anymore," he said, "But I know how difficult it felt being the only openly gay person in school."
After leaving Salmon Arm after high school for a more welcoming environment in Vancouver, Clayton has since returned as part of anti-homophobia education programming in School District #83.
"It's interesting because people hear the topic and they think I'm going to be talking about sex and sexuality. That's not the focus at all. It's about violence and discrimination and how we can turn that into tolerance and respect."
Clayton says a B.C.-wide policy would also allow for more resources for GLBT students, especially those in rural school districts. This would also apply to private schools which receive Ministry of Education funding.
"Think of a story about homophobia or transphobia, especially as it affects schools in British Columbia. This can be about you, or someone you know, or someone you love. Tell your story from your heart," he says.
A number of people turned out to the Pink Cherry on Friday night to support the Purple Letter Campaign by writing their own experiences, sealing their letters in purple envelopes and placing them in the purple mailbox. These letters will be delivered to the government Oct. 20.
For the coming weeks the mailbox will remain at the Pink Cherry, which was happy to show their support for the campaign after a number of other venues in Salmon Arm turned down the request.
Alternatively, they can be mailed to Purple Letter Campaign, #376-3495 Cambie St., Vancouver, B.C., V5Z 4R3.