50p
OMNI
Students come to Brentwood from a wide range of backgrounds, environments and families, but it is not long before Brentwood becomes a home for every single one of us. Brentwood celebrates this variation of backgrounds and cultures, from recent events such as the 40th anniversary of girls at Brentwood, to the celebratory Black History Month dinner, to Anti-Bullying Day.
This year has been one of growth, changes and firsts. Brentwood welcomed a new head, Mr. Bud Patel, and the new Visual Arts and Global Studies Centre, new staff, new students, a new Brentwood era.
This year, Brentwood also welcomed its first LGBT support group, OMNI.
OMNI stands for Open-Minded Non-discriminatory Individuals and was founded by Grade 12s Sybil P, Yuki W, Annie K, Jon C-H, and Grade 10 Justin A. Their mission statement reads: “OMNI strives to be the first step to a new, universal mindset in the Brentwood community by unifying students with openness, acceptance, and an understanding of LGBT life.” The group came to Mrs. Felix with the idea, and it quickly garnered support, as well as a go-ahead from Mr. Patel. The first meetings were an amazing success.
I went to a meeting in early January with a positive attitude and expected a handful of students to show up in support of OMNI. I was astounded when more than 50 students crowded into the Felix’s home to decorate cupcakes and discuss.
Since the OMNI initiative began, some Brentwood students have gained the confidence to tell their families and friends their sexual orientation.
I talked to Annie K and Justin A, two of the students who began the initiative, about OMNI and the group’s future at Brentwood.
Why does Brentwood need an LGBT group?
Annie: “In the past at Brentwood, sexuality has been dealt with as a "don't ask, don't tell" situation. We thought Brentonians needed a way to upgrade their way of thinking and openly embrace love of all kinds to better understand and respect many of the people they interact with, and will interact with in the future. “
Justin: “Brentwood is not just a school. It’s a home, and a community, and so everyone must be able to feel safe with who they are.”
What are OMNI’s goals?
Annie: “We hope to act as a launch pad for a new way of thinking, and promote acceptance and knowledge in the Brentwood community about sexual orientation.”
Justin: “OMNI has many short term goals, but our main goal for this year is to set a base for future years.”
Gay, Lesbian and Transgender rights are still not secure in many nations. Even today, in a rapidly changing world, homosexuality is still illegal in 76 countries. We are lucky to live in Canada, where every background, culture and sexual orientation is welcome. OMNI promotes online groups like www.AllOut.org, an organization aimed at generating equality everywhere, a shift towards acceptance in 5 years, not 25. Love is love, no matter the gender.
As Mr. Patel says, “We are all human and we are all Brentwood and we are all in it together.”
Katie R, Mackenzie ’13
This year has been one of growth, changes and firsts. Brentwood welcomed a new head, Mr. Bud Patel, and the new Visual Arts and Global Studies Centre, new staff, new students, a new Brentwood era.
This year, Brentwood also welcomed its first LGBT support group, OMNI.
OMNI stands for Open-Minded Non-discriminatory Individuals and was founded by Grade 12s Sybil P, Yuki W, Annie K, Jon C-H, and Grade 10 Justin A. Their mission statement reads: “OMNI strives to be the first step to a new, universal mindset in the Brentwood community by unifying students with openness, acceptance, and an understanding of LGBT life.” The group came to Mrs. Felix with the idea, and it quickly garnered support, as well as a go-ahead from Mr. Patel. The first meetings were an amazing success.
I went to a meeting in early January with a positive attitude and expected a handful of students to show up in support of OMNI. I was astounded when more than 50 students crowded into the Felix’s home to decorate cupcakes and discuss.
Since the OMNI initiative began, some Brentwood students have gained the confidence to tell their families and friends their sexual orientation.
I talked to Annie K and Justin A, two of the students who began the initiative, about OMNI and the group’s future at Brentwood.
Why does Brentwood need an LGBT group?
Annie: “In the past at Brentwood, sexuality has been dealt with as a "don't ask, don't tell" situation. We thought Brentonians needed a way to upgrade their way of thinking and openly embrace love of all kinds to better understand and respect many of the people they interact with, and will interact with in the future. “
Justin: “Brentwood is not just a school. It’s a home, and a community, and so everyone must be able to feel safe with who they are.”
What are OMNI’s goals?
Annie: “We hope to act as a launch pad for a new way of thinking, and promote acceptance and knowledge in the Brentwood community about sexual orientation.”
Justin: “OMNI has many short term goals, but our main goal for this year is to set a base for future years.”
Gay, Lesbian and Transgender rights are still not secure in many nations. Even today, in a rapidly changing world, homosexuality is still illegal in 76 countries. We are lucky to live in Canada, where every background, culture and sexual orientation is welcome. OMNI promotes online groups like www.AllOut.org, an organization aimed at generating equality everywhere, a shift towards acceptance in 5 years, not 25. Love is love, no matter the gender.
As Mr. Patel says, “We are all human and we are all Brentwood and we are all in it together.”
Katie R, Mackenzie ’13
75p
