Competing protests over LGBTQ2S+ inclusive education in the north

Protests for and against LGBTQ2S+ inclusive education returned Saturday with dozens of people setting up a demonstration on the York Street side of Paris Street in Greater Sudbury near Bell Park.

For the second time in a month, rallies under the banner of 1 Million March 4 Children were organized in cities across the region and across the country calling for the elimination of what organizers call “the sexual orientation and gender identity curriculum – this month called ‘Leave Our Kids Alone’ or 'Hands Off Our Kids' rallies.

A counter-protest or gathering was mounted in response on the opposite side of the road, stating the 1 Million March 4 Children is spreading anti-LGBTQ2S+ rhetoric and misinformation “under the guise of saving children.”

In Sudbury, counter-protesters greatly outnumbered those with the 1 Million March 4 Children. Counter-protestors told CTV News that they were there to support diverse youth which is incredibly important with online hate towards LGBTQ2S+ communities increasing.

The demonstrations come amid an ongoing debate over queer rights in schools.

Earlier this week, the Government of Saskatchewan invoked the notwithstanding clause to pass a law preventing children under 16 from changing their names or pronouns at schools.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has signaled his government may consider similar measures.

Meanwhile, those with the 1 Million March 4 Children expressed concerns about the way sexual orientation and gender identity are taught in schools and how it impacts their traditional values.

“We do not condone hate,” reads a statement on the 1 Million March 4 Children’s social media page.

“We are against the grooming of children in general and specifically against sexual orientation and gender identity.

Members of the 1 Million March 4 Children demonstration in Sudbury declined to speak with CTV News Saturday.

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Organizers of Sudbury’s counter-protest dubbed ‘Counter Hate: Support 2SLGBTQ+ Youth’ said their gathering was a targeted event to show our love and support for LGBTQ2S+ people and to counter the misinformation being spread by hate groups such as 1 Million March 4 Children.

“We’re here today to show the city of Greater Sudbury and 2SLGBTQ+ youth that the majority of people in this city support 2SLGBTQ+ people,” said the counter-protest’s lead organizer, Vincent Bolt.

“That our voices are going to be louder than the voices of hate and ignorance.”

Counter-protesters were encouraged to dress in “anything rainbow coloured” and had fact sheets available to explain that gender identity is not part of the curriculum in Ontario until Grade 8 and parents can complete a form to exempt their children from all or part of the sexual education curriculum.

“What prompted us to be here today was finding out about the previous rallies that were anti-2SLGBTQ+ and the attack on the freedoms that 2SLGBTQ+ children and teens have in Ontario schools,” said Bolt.

The counter protest had support of a variety of labour organization’s in the region with – the Sudbury and District Labour Council issuing a statement Thursday that read in part:

“On Saturday, the ultra-conservative right have once again planned nationwide events to protest teaching 2SLGBTQIA+ content in schools under the guise of protecting children.

It's crucial that we come together and make it clear that there is no place for hate in our community.

The 2SLGBTQIA+ Counter-protest will (be) taking place at the Paris and York Street parking lots.

We encourage all delegates to show up to counter this rhetoric and these lies with messages of truth, love, acceptance, and inclusion.”

Sudbury MPP Jamie West also offered his support to counter protestors Saturday appearing at the rally.

“It was cold out today, but that’s ok because we have warm hearts in Sudbury that care for each other,” he said in social media posts.

In the northeast, similar protests and counter-protests were held in Espanola, North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Temiskaming Shores and Timmins.