Students not to take pictures of trans shop teacher
Author of the article:Joe Warmington
Published Dec 14, 2022 • 2 minute read
While a trans teacher's decision to wear large prosthetic breasts does not violate any rules, the same can't be said for taking her photo, writes columnist Joe Warmington..
Video captured last week at a Burlington school show shop teacher Kayla Lemieux hobbling along a hallway with the help of crutches. PHOTO BY FRAME GRAB/SUPPLIED VIDEO /Toronto Sun
While a trans teacher’s decision to wear large prosthetic breasts and blonde wig in front of high school students does not violate any rules, the same cannot be said for taking a photograph of this educator, according to the Halton District School Board.
Controversial Oakville Trafalgar High School shop teacher Kayla Lemieux has taken her now world-famous blonde wig, shorts and prosthetic breasts on the road to classrooms in several schools.
But students have been warned not to capture a picture or video; some parents say students have been “threatened with suspension if they attempt to take photos of Lemieux.”
But some took the risk and shot video, anyway.
Video captured last week at Dr. Frank J. Hayden Secondary School in Burlington, shows the teacher, — who changed her first name from Kerry to Kayla — hobbling along a school hallway with the help of crutches and wearing a boot-cast on her right foot.
An image posted to social media by a user who identified the skydiver as the transgender teacher at an Oakville high school.
An image posted to social media by a user who identified the skydiver as the transgender teacher at an Oakville high school. PHOTO BY VOODOO /Twitter
The Sun has previously reported sightings of Lemieux wearing this boot following a skydiving adventure in Ancaster.
While the person on the dive said there was no noticeable or reported injury following the landing, a foot injury has kept Lemieux out of the shop classroom at Oakville Trafalgar High School (OTHS) for “safety reasons” because of the machinery that is installed there. Past videos showing Lemieux have already raised the alarm bells of some industrial arts educators, who say the large breasts and a chain around the teacher’s neck posed potential safety risks.
Lemieux has not been teaching at OTHS for weeks, but was caught on video — in full attire — as a substitute teacher at Hayden this week and also recently, at Abbey Park High School in Oakville. Witnesses say Halton Regional Police cars were on the property at both schools.
“Lemieux gets a personal escort (and) protection everywhere he goes,” said one parent.
Police have been rightfully concerned about protecting students and faculty as a result of a series of bomb threats.
The board has chosen to accommodate Lemieux’s choice to identify and dress as a woman. They have also not commented on a posted TikTok video of the teacher appearing to be sitting next to an unknown student vaping in a classroom, which is also against board rules.
Whether it’s the director of education, the chair of the school board or local principals, it seems they have no answer on how to deal with Lemieux.
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Despite complaints, they have made protecting her rights a priority. Attempts to reach Lemieux for comment have not been successful, and the board has offered little information.
“As you’re aware, we can’t comment on HR matters,” said school board spokesperson Heather Francey.
But when it comes to students or staff taking pictures on school property, “I can tell you that the HDSB does have a ‘Responsible Use Procedures for Information and Communications Technology’ policy,” said Francey. “It is routine practice for students to obtain permission of any subject at any time (including other students, staff or any person) before capturing, using and transmitting images or video. This policy helps guide that standard courtesy across our board.”
While a trans teacher's decision to wear large prosthetic breasts does not violate any rules, the same can't be said for taking her photo.
torontosun.com