The Role of the Manitoba Teachers' Society (MTS) in Supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ Teachers

MTS actively champions equity within the education system, advocating for the rights and safety of 2SLGBTQIA+ teachers and students. Through policy recommendations, public campaigns, and negotiations with school divisions, MTS ensures that inclusive practices and anti-discrimination protections are upheld in schools.

MTS Equity and Social Justice Committee

This committee drives initiatives to promote equity and diversity within Manitoba’s schools and among educators. Their work includes specific resources and programming focused on the rights and well-being of 2SLGBTQ+ educators.

Visit the MTS website for updates on equity-related initiatives: MTS Equity and Social Justice
 

MTS provides access to workshops, conferences, and training sessions tailored to the needs of 2SLGBTQIA+ educators. Topics include fostering inclusive classrooms, understanding legal protections, and addressing challenges such as homophobia, transphobia, and systemic discrimination. These professional development opportunities equip teachers to navigate their roles confidently while promoting allyship and acceptance within their schools.

MTS Professional Development workshops are frequently updated to reflect current trends and challenges in education. Sessions such as Addressing Gender Diversity in Schools or Combatting Systemic Oppression in Education are especially relevant for 2SLGBTQIA+ educators.

Visit the professional development calendar for upcoming workshops: MTS PD

Through initiatives such as Qmunity, 2SLGBTQIA+ educators can connect with peers to share experiences, resources, and strategies for success. These networks create safe spaces for mentorship and collaboration while amplifying 2SLGBTQ+ voices in educational discourse.

MTS can facilitate connections with experienced 2SLGBTQIA+ teachers who can provide mentorship and guidance. Through initiatives like the Teacher-Led Learning Team (TLLT) program, emerging educators can receive tailored advice for building inclusive classrooms and navigating the profession authentically.
 

Emerging researchers can engage with MTS to explore and contribute to the evolving needs of 2SLGBTQIA+ teachers and students. By collaborating with MTS on studies, white papers, or policy recommendations, researchers help shape the future of equitable education in Manitoba.

For 2SLGBTQIA+ researchers and emerging scholars, MTS offers collaboration opportunities for research that supports policy and practice. Their Educational Research Committee welcomes proposals that focus on equity and diversity.
 
Educator-Specific Resources and Toolkits

MTS regularly publishes guides and materials for educators, such as:

●    Safe and Caring Schools: A guide to creating inclusive environments for all students and staff.
●    Policy and Legal Information: Details on your rights as a 2SLGBTQIA+ educator in Manitoba.
●    Find these resources in the MTS Member Portal or through your school representative.

The registry will include anyone who has held a teaching certificate in Manitoba from 1960 to the present day.
The name exclusion forms are available in English and French on the Department website:

●    English: https://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/profcert/resource.html
●    French: https://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/m12/perfprof/brevet/ressources.html

If teachers have questions about the teacher registry, they should reach out to an MTS Staff Officer. 

 

Emerging researchers can engage with MTS to explore and contribute to the evolving needs of 2SLGBTQIA+ teachers and students. By collaborating with MTS on studies, white papers, or policy recommendations, researchers help shape the future of equitable education in Manitoba.

For 2SLGBTQIA+ researchers and emerging scholars, MTS offers collaboration opportunities for research that supports policy and practice. Their Educational Research Committee welcomes proposals that focus on equity and diversity.

Educator-Specific Resources and Toolkits

MTS regularly publishes guides and materials for educators, such as:

• Safe and Caring Schools: A guide to creating inclusive environments for all students and staff.

• Policy and Legal Information: Details on your rights as a 2SLGBTQIA+ educator in Manitoba.

• Find these resources in the MTS Member Portal or through your school representative.

●    Confidential Counseling Services: Available to MTS members for work or personal challenges.
●    Kii: Through Kii, MTS members and eligible family members can receive one-on-one counselling, as well as an array of other holistic support services. These include family, relationship, grief and bereavement counselling, as well as support for substance use, depression, work related stress, diet and nutrition, even legal and financial counselling. 
●    Manitoba Blue Cross Member Assistance Program (MAP): Offers 24/7 counseling and crisis support for mental health.
 

Pride at Work - https://www.prideatwork.ca/ 
Pride at Work Canada empowers Canadian employers to build workplaces that celebrate all gender and sexual diversity. The website offers tools, educational resources, and events focused on fostering LGBTQ2+ inclusion in the workplace. Teachers can utilize this resource to understand workplace diversity best practices, find case studies on inclusion, or invite guest speakers to discuss LGBTQ2+ employment equity.

CUPE Manitoba 2SLGBTQI+ Committee - https://cupe.mb.ca/2slgbtqi-committee/
This committee advocates for the rights of 2SLGBTQI+ individuals within CUPE (Canadian Union of Public Employees) and beyond. The website shares updates, campaigns, and initiatives focused on inclusion and equity. Teachers can explore this resource for advocacy tools, education materials, and ways to engage with broader 2SLGBTQI+ equity efforts in labor contexts.

Canadian Labour Congress' Works in Transition Guide - https://canadianlabour.ca/workers-in-transition-guide/
This guide offers strategies to create workplaces inclusive of transgender and gender-diverse individuals. It provides policy templates, case studies, and actionable steps for unions and employers. Teachers can use this resource for professional development workshops on workplace inclusion or to inform policy updates in education settings.

Unifor 2SLGBTQIA+ - https://www.unifor.org/resources/equity/2slgbtqia
Unifor’s Equity for 2SLGBTQIA+ focuses on creating safer, inclusive work environments. The site highlights events, campaigns, and resources for members. Teachers can use it to understand union-based support systems and to access materials for equity and social justice curricula or school campaigns.

UFCW OUTreach  - https://www.ufcwoutreach.org/
UFCW OUTreach promotes equality for LGBTQIA+ members of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union. The site offers resources, education, and advocacy tools. Teachers can explore these materials to learn about intersectional approaches to workplace diversity or connect students with union-based career pathways that prioritize equity.

USW Equity for 2SLGBTQIA+ - https://usw.ca/equity-for-2slgbtqia/
The United Steelworkers' Equity initiatives support the inclusion of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals in the workplace. Their website provides resources, campaigns, and stories that highlight advocacy efforts. Teachers can leverage this resource to integrate labor equity issues into social studies lessons or develop workshops on 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion in diverse industries.