‘Too Spirited’ Oshawa school trustee resigns for second time after hate speech sanctions upheld
Published April 1, 2024 at 8:00 am
An Oshawa school trustee who has been sanctioned numerous times over statements on social media over trans and LGBQT issues has resigned from the Durham District School Board, but not before calling out her fellow board members on ‘X’ and vowing to remain in the public eye.
“I will carry on,” said Linda Stone, who was re-elected in the fall of 2022 after resigning her post that May. “Just not in a board full of cowards, leftists and bullies, with compassionless trustees who are clueless about the issues.”
Stone, who uses the ‘Too Spirited” handle on social media despite her controversial anti-LGBQT stance, found herself on the carpet one again with Michael Maynard, the Board’s Integrity Commissioner, over posts on Facebook that were deemed “dangerous, unprofessional, hate speech” and that “definitely has made me lack confidence in her as a trustee.”
“She has made numerous posts on Facebook and Twitter promoting hate speech against mainly the trans community. On Orange Shirt Day while the schools were learning about truth and reconciliation, Linda Stone was sharing a story that [denies] the treatment of Indigenous people in residential schools.”
Stone also posted about puberty blockers and promoted a tweet about “eliminating ‘woke’ school boards” and posted in opposition to gender identity and trans students rights.
“De-trans day is March 12. Let’s make it detrans education week in schools.”
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Maynard recommended Stone be barred from three board meetings and from all committee meetings for the next six months.
The matter went to the board for a vote March 4 and last Wednesday the board voted to accept Stone’s resignation and issued a statement that they would be “considering next steps” in filling the vacancy.
Stone, as well as fellow trustees Deb Oldfield and Emma Cunningham (in opposition to Stone’s comments) were all subject to public complaints that got the attention of the Integrity Commissioner – mostly arising from a contentious board meeting (and the subsequent fallout on social media) from last May that attracted a full house of parents concerned with gender identity being taught in schools, the flying of the Pride flag and gender-neutral washrooms.
That meeting also attracted the attention of Pickering Councillor Lisa Robinson, who was named in Integrity Commissioner Michael Maynard’s report as allying with Stone in harassing a resident and member of the pflag Durham organization. Robinson was later admonished by Pickering Council for her actions.
Maynard recommended just censure against Oldfield and Cunningham, who were both cited for their own social media comments in support of the LGBQT+ community after the May 2023 meeting.
Cunningham accused Stone of “hate speech” in her flagged posts and told Maynard of a “veiled threat” from Stone following sanctions against Robinson at Pickering Council.
Robinson posted on Saturday on ‘X’ that it was “unfortunate” to hear about Stone stepping down, calling her a “beacon of hope for parents advocating to preserve the nuclear family,” but made it clear she would not be following suit.
“I’m choosing not to step down today, tomorrow, or any day. The people can decide in the 2026 election.”
Stone has her share of support on social media, with one ally calling the other trustees on the board “a bunch of power-tripping tyrants who have no respect for views that challenge their own” while launching a campaign to #SaveLindaStone.
The Durham District School Board called a special board meeting to consider Stone’s resignation and also issued a statement the following day recognizing Sunday, March 31 as International Transgender Day of Visibility.
“This day is an important educational opportunity to learn more about the historical and ongoing discrimination and hate against Two-Spirit and transgender people, to listen to and reflect on their unique, diverse, and authentic lived experiences, and to challenge and debunk inaccurate, harmful, and discriminatory assumptions, stereotypes, and prejudice.”
“The DDSB affirms our unwavering support for Two-Spirit and transgender people and communities. We champion human rights and stand against transphobia and hate.”
