2SLGBTQ+ policies, ‘gender ideology’ in schools at heart of Edmonton protest, counter-protest

Supporters in competing protests on the way schools teach sexuality and gender identity, and how teachers refer to transgender youth, made their voices heard in Edmonton and across Canada Wednesday.

The “1MillionMarch4Children” drew protesters and counter-protesters – an estimated 1,200 people overall – to the Alberta Teachers’ Association building on 142 Street and 111 Avenue.

While there were a few heated exchange between the two groups, it was a peaceful protest. Edmonton police said as of Wednesday afternoon, there had been no arrests.

“Parents entrust their children to go to school, and the schools have been putting through some information that has been concerning,” said Benita Pedersen, the Edmonton coordinator for the 1MillionMarch4Children. “They go into sexuality, they go into gender ideology and that’s not appropriate.

“The parents are here today simply because they simply want to see health boundaries for children in schools.

“What we need the schools to do again is respect the preference of the parents.”

Protesters waved signs reading “Stop SOGI 123” in opposition to the “sexual orientation and gender identity” (SOGI) curriculum in schools.

Protesters say children are being exposed to inappropriate content about sexuality, and they support policies requiring parental consent.

“I believe children should be learning about the biology of the male, the biology of the female, and biology of procreation, and it should stop there,” added Pedersen. “The other aspects of sexuality are things they can explore outside of school.”

Separated by a strong police presence, counter-protesters advocating for the protection of trans youth in Canada chanted “protect trans rights.” They carried signs like “hate has no home here” and “trans lives matter.”

“As a parent, you love your child no matter what,” said Julia Clifford, a counter-protest organizer and parent of a trans child. “And you accept them no matter what. I know you can be born in the wrong body, and everybody else should understand that fact, and I don’t understand how these people can advocate for hate in their homes, and in their schools. It’s disgusting.

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PROTESTS ACROSS CANADA:

• Duelling protests over gender identity in schools as thousands pack Queen’s Park
• Anti-2SLGBTQ+ protests and counter rallies in Montreal and Canada Wednesday
• Winnipeggers protest ‘gender ideology’ in schools; counter-protesters say trans youth need protection
• Duelling protests over gender identity in schools as thousands descend on Downtown Calgary

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“As a parent of a trans child, this is absolutely hateful rhetoric that makes me sick to my stomach, and I would fight for every child to be free and express themselves. It breaks my heart that we are still in 2023 fighting for all our children to be honestly truly who they are.”

The protests and counter-protests are linked to school policies, including in New Brunswick and Saskatchewan, that require young people to get parental consent before teachers can use their preferred first names and pronouns.

In June, New Brunswick’s government changed the province’s gender policy, requiring transgender and nonbinary students under 16 to get parental consent before their teachers can use their preferred first names.

“If a child doesn’t feel like they are safe to be themselves at home, the school should not be in a position where they cannot honour that child’s authentic place, or tell their parents,” said counter-protester organizer Kayla Halliday, with United for Change Edmonton.

“That is how children die, that is how they end up on the street, that is how they fall into substance use, have nowhere to go, have no supports. Sometimes school is the only safe place to go for kids.

“It’s beautiful to see how many people have turned out, and the outpouring of love and support. Nobody deserves to feel ashamed or that they have to hide, or not be them. And that’s what these people want to do, they want to shame people into the closet, and we’re not here for that. We will not stand for that, and we will not go back.”

Similar protests and corresponding counter-protests were held in major cities across Canada, including Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg, Calgary and Vancouver.

—With files from The Canadian Press