B.C. human rights commissioner condemns planned anti-SOGI rallies

Ahead of planned demonstrations against B.C.’s sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI 123) educational resource, the province’s human rights commissioner is among those speaking out against the protests.

Kasari Govender issued a statement Tuesday condemning the “hate fuelled marches.”

“The right to peaceful demonstration is an important tool to protect our democracy and generate debate. But as Human Rights Commissioner, I want to be very clear: the human rights of trans and LGBTQ2SAI+ people are not up for debate,” she said.

“Denying the existence of trans and gender diverse people—including calls to erase trans and LGBTQ2SAI+ people from our province’s curricula—is hate, and hate should have no place in our community or in our schools,” Govender continued.

“Trans and LGBTQ2SAI+ people don’t just have a right to exist—they have a right to thrive, to be loved and to have their human dignity recognized, represented and respected, as we all do.”

As BC's Human Rights Commissioner, I am disturbed by news of hate fueled marches planned for Sept. 20. Peaceful demonstration is an important tool to protect democracy and generate debate. But I want to be very clear: the human rights of LGBTQ2SAI+ people are not up for debate.

— Kasari Govender (@KasariGovender) September 19, 2023

The “1 Million March 4 Children” demonstration will be taking place in cities across Canada in protest of what it calls “gender ideology” education in schools. The Vancouver gathering is set to begin at Robson and Burrard streets at 1 p.m., and will include a march through the downtown core, though a final destination is not clear. Traffic disruptions are expected.

In response, a counter-protest will be held an hour earlier, with a demonstration in support of the transgender community and SOGI 123 planned at 12 p.m. at the Vancouver Art Gallery.

Dozens of people are expected to be in attendance for both demonstrations.

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In a statement to CityNews, the Vancouver Police Department says it will have extra officers assigned to the downtown area to ensure people can peacefully assemble and to mitigate potential traffic disruptions.

Teachers, politicians, community groups condemn rally

Earlier this month, BC Teachers’ Federation President Clint Johnson wrote a letter to all three major provincial political parties outlining concerns over the planned marches.

“Teachers and school staff have stood up time and again in defense of resources designed to ensure all families are reflected in school materials and all students and staff are protected from discrimination at school. However, they cannot keep bearing the brunt of these misguided attacks and campaigns of disinformation against a curriculum and school resources that all BC parties support,” his letter, dated Sept. 8, reads.

Premier David Eby has said he shares the concerns of the teachers’ union.

“School must be a place where every student feels secure and respected so they can focus on learning,” he wrote in a response on Sept. 19.

“It has been upsetting and distressing to see misinformation and disinformation used to attack some of our most vulnerable children and youth.”

We cannot and must not stand idly by in the face of any kind of bullying.

Here is my full letter to the @bctf

(6/6) pic.twitter.com/Gh8K8NFDtT

— David Eby (@Dave_Eby) September 19, 2023

The BC Green Party issued a statement in support of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community ahead of the planned protest, with Leader Sonia Furstenau saying the demonstrations are creating “unnecessary and unacceptable stress” for school communities.

“We must remember, human rights are universal, and protected by law. The representation of LGBTQ2S+ in media and education is vital for the mental health and well-being of our youth. LGBTQ2S+ inclusive education benefits all,” she stated.

“The B.C. Green Caucus denounces these demonstrations and supports and encourages parents’ engagement with their children’s schooling, which is why SOGI 123 was designed with involvement from parents, educators, school districts, and numerous community and social service organizations.”

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BC United MLA Elenore Sturko also spoke on the issue Tuesday, posting a copy of a letter she sent to the BC Teachers’ Federation about SOGI 123 — thanking him for recognizing the former Liberal government’s introduction of the curriculum.

“While we may have changed our party name, that does not change our pride in our party’s history of advocacy and leadership on this issue, nor does it change our continued support for, and recognition of, the importance of inclusive schools where all students, teachers, and parents are respected,” she wrote in the letter dated Sept. 19.

No one should ever face hatred or discrimination within our schools.

I'm proud of our party's advocacy & leadership on this issue, like anti-bullying modules & educational resources like SOGI123. @KevinFalcon & I continue to strive to bring ppl together and support inclusion. pic.twitter.com/9TEEbhWnvr

— Elenore Sturko (@elenoresturko) September 19, 2023

Fareed Kahn, the founder of Canadians United Against Hate, says while the march claims to be in support of children, as is suggested by its name, it is doing the opposite.

“They claim to be marching to protect children, but they are attacking children,” he said Tuesday. “They claim to be marching for rights but they are denying human rights of people who are part of a marginalized community.”

Kahn argues the “1 Million March 4 Children” is just “the latest effort by an alliance of right wing extremists, those involved in the convoy protests, and far right elements within religious communities to dehumanize and demonize people who are transgender, especially trans youth who are particularly vulnerable.”

“If this is about parental rights as many of these protesters claim, what about the rights of parents whose kids are part of the LGBTQ2 community trying to protect their kids and defend their rights?” he asked.

“Their human rights are being violated and it is hypocritical in the extreme for those who support these protests to say their rights matter more than those of parents of a trans child or trans youth. Human rights are human rights regardless of the identity of a person and they must be protected and defended without exception.”

Meanwhile, Qmunity, a 2SLGTBQIA+ advocacy group in Vancouver, also denounced the anti-SOGI rally.

“In anticipation of anti-SOGI protests taking place across BC and Canada tomorrow, QMUNITY would like to take a moment to center the feelings of hurt and fear experienced by 2SLGBTQIA+ people as a result of planned and coordinated homophobic and transphobic demonstrations, policies, and debates spreading across Canada,” the group said.

“Through programs and services, QMUNITY is seeing a surge in youth, seniors, and adults seeking mental health resources, safer spaces, and community support. Queer youth in particular are facing disproportionate harm and heightened risks of suicidality, rejection, and discrimination in an educational system that threatens their safety and security inside schools, as well as in their homes.”

The protests are expected to lead to traffic delays through the Vancouver core.

For the latest on disruptions on Wednesday, be sure to tune into CityNews 1130 for live traffic updates every 10 minutes.

With files from Angela Bower