Truth, Lies & Sex Ed: A CityNews town hall

Ontario’s new sex-ed curriculum has drawn both accolades and outrage but what is myth and what is fact?

CityNews delved into this polarizing issue on Thursday during a special town hall titled Truth, Lies & Sex Ed.

Hosted by Gord Martineau, moderated by Avery Haines, and featuring guests from both sides of the issue, the revised curriculum was analyzed and some of the more contentious issues were debated.

The panelists

Lana Iskand, ethnic media journalist

Iskand has Honors BA in Arts and Communication Studies from York University. Currently, Iskand is a freelance ethnic media journalist, who dedicates most of her time to raising three kids with her husband Matt. She is not in favour of the new curriculum.

Soha Hamam, neighbourhood activist

Hamam is a mother of five children and Toronto neighbourhood activist dedicated to the rights of parents and children. She has concerns about the new sex ed curriculum and believes that parents are the first educators to their children. She is not in favour of the curriculum.

Doug Kerr, head of Facebook group People for Ontario’s Sex–Ed Curriculum

An avid volunteer, Kerr currently serves on several non-profit boards and committees, including Sherbourne Health Centre and the LGBT Giving Network. Kerr holds degrees from the University of Alberta and the University of Toronto. He is in favour of the curriculum.

Nadine Thornhill, sexual health educator

Thornhill is a member of the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists; The Sex Information and Education Council of Canada; and the Sexual Education Centre. She is in favour of the curriculum.

Click here to read Ontario’s complete sexual education curriculum.

Get a full replay of the show online through our Twitter feed below.