Protests and counter-protests are scheduled throughout Canada on Wednesday regarding the trans and LGBTQ community. The group “1MillionMarch4Children” has created posters for the rally, with their message aimed at opposing gender ideology in schools, particularly the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity programs in B.C.’s public schools. Sarah Worthman, an LGBTQ advocate, is helping organize 63 counter-protests across the country. She emphasizes the importance of allyship and urges supporters to stand with the LGBTQ community by attending the No Space for Hate events, which aim to combat hate speech and intolerance.
Worthman acknowledges that a small but vocal minority of far-right individuals holds discriminatory views and falsely believes they represent the majority. She hopes that the planned counter-protests can demonstrate that the majority of Canadians are supportive and push back against the hateful messaging expected from protesters. Worthman emphasizes the real danger in these anti-LGBTQ movements.
Bringing attention to the issue, British Columbia’s Human Rights Commissioner, Kasari Govender, condemns the anti-LGBTQ marches and categorizes them as hate-fueled. Govender believes that while peaceful demonstrations are a part of democracy, the human rights of the trans and LGBTQ community should not be up for debate. She cites an inquiry showing that almost two-thirds of LGBTQ students don’t feel safe at school, and she denounces attempts to erase them from school curriculums as hateful. Worthman calls on politicians to be more vocal in their support for the LGBTQ community and against further marginalization.
Clint Johnston, president of the BC Teachers’ Federation, expresses concern about the planned protests and describes them as an attack on the trans and LGBTQ community. In a letter to Premier David Eby, Johnston states that these rallies are part of a North American movement that uses “parental consent” as a way to promote homophobia and transphobia. Eby responds by affirming that schools should be a safe environment for every student, and he denounces the use of misinformation and disinformation to harm vulnerable children and youth.
The City of Whitehorse declares its intolerance for anti-LGBTQ messaging and announces that the planned march in the city will be closely monitored by law enforcement. Govender asserts that those who seek to remove supports for LGBTQ students in schools are misinformed and that erasing LGBTQ2SAI+ people from the curriculum will not change a child’s identity but will make schools less safe for LGBTQ2SAI+ individuals.
Govender notes that trans people have become targets of disinformation, conspiracy theories, and hate. She states that the rallies are not solely about hate based on gender identity, but they also undermine human dignity, expression, and rights for everyone. Govender sends a letter to Premier Eby, urging him to release details about the effectiveness of 12 recommendations her office submitted to the province in March. These recommendations are meant to combat hate and offer a path towards tangible and transformative action.
Denial of responsibility! Vigour Times is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
