A wave of protests has swept across Canada
The issue of LGBTQ2D+ support in schools has elicited mixed reactions.
September 20 and 21 were tense in Canada, with protests for and against inclusive education taking place across the country. This reaction was prompted by the ongoing public debate in recent months about the rights and support for LGBTQ2D+ people in schools.
It was prompted by legislative changes in the provinces of Saskatchewan and New Brunswick. Local governments insist on the need for parental consent when it comes to changing pronouns (and only pronouns) for students under 16. The Manitoba Conservative Party, as well as Ontario Premier Doug Ford, have also voiced support for "parental rights." However, school boards disagreed with the officials' views, and union representatives advocated for a lenient gender policy and acceptance of student identity.
The lengthy discussion led to large-scale protests against "pronouns, gender ideology and shared toilets" — they took place in 80 cities across Canada. The movement was called the 1 Million March 4 Children and was held mainly by religious (like "Hands Off Our Children") or secular (like "Family Freedom") transphobic organizations. On the eve of the protests, the offices of education workers' unions in Ontario were vandalized — allegedly by activists from anti-LGBTQ2D+ movements. Information about this was passed to the police.
In response to the 1 Million March 4 Children movement, people across Canada gathered in counter-protests for rights, freedoms and acceptance. There were politicians who openly spoke out in their support. Among them, for example, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow and even Prime Minister Justin Trudeau:
"Let me make one thing very clear: Transphobia, homophobia, and biphobia have no place in this country. We strongly condemn this hate and its manifestations, and we stand united in support of 2SLGBTQI+ Canadians across the country – you are valid and you are valued."
Other officials are reacting with restraint. Quebec Premier François Legault, for example, urged citizens to exercise restraint and discretion. He also announced his intention to create a committee on gender identity.
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