Protests and counter-protests for and against Canada’s trans and LGBTQ2S+ community are being planned across Canada on Wednesday. The demonstrations, under the banner “1 Million March 4 Children,” are advocating for the elimination of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) curriculums in Canada.
Since Saskatchewan and New Brunswick implemented gender and pronoun policies requiring parental approval for kids under the age of 16 who wish to change their given names and/or pronouns at school, gender identity in the education sector has been making news frequently lately.
The poster said supporters would be gathering on Spadina Avenue at 9 a.m. before heading to Five Corners for the rally at 10 a.m.
“This is an organic movement,” according to the Chilliwack march poster. “We are brothers and sisters in humanity coming together peacefully to protect our children. Everyone, regardless of faith or belief, is warmly invited to march alongside us in unity and friendship.”
Despite the organizers claiming “this march isn’t anti-gay or anti-trans,” the event has resulted in several messages of pre-emptive support going out to the LGBTQ2S+ community in Chilliwack.
Megan Poole, manager of community relations and communications for the 519, an agency in downtown Toronto that supports members of the LGBTQ2S+ community, said Ontario Premier Doug Ford has accused school boards of indoctrinating students and insisting parents should be informed of their child’s gender identity. Poole called this a dangerous discourse that forcibly outs children.
There are two “brands” promoting protests across Canada on Wednesday, Hands Off Our Kids and Family Freedom, Canadian Anti-Hate Network Executive Director Evan Balgord explained. The groups did not respond to requests for comment.
Balgord said one of the groups is religious and openly intolerant of the LGBTQ2S+ community while the other is more secular and appears to be more inclusive. Fundamentally, both are advocating for SOGI to be stripped from the curriculum by hiding behind the illusion that they are just trying to protect children, Balgord noted.
To support LGBTQ2S+ communities, counter protests are planned in every province across the country. Several are taking place in Toronto, with more spanning Ontario in Kingston, Kitchener, London, Ottawa, Peterborough, Sarnia, Sudbury and Windsor.
