LGBT issues, referring to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender topics, are being presented in classrooms across Canada—from kindergarten on—in ways that have shocked some parents who were unaware until their children started questioning their gender and sexual orientation.

In many cases, if these topics are discussed as “equity” lessons, parents do not have to be informed.

For example, gender identity isn’t officially discussed in Ontario’s sex-education curriculum until Grade 8, and parents may opt out. But multiple Ontario school boards have strongly encouraged teachers to weave gender and sexual identity into lessons outside of sex-ed. And many of these lessons have no requirement to tell parents.