Hundreds expected to counter protest queer inclusive education demonstrations in Toronto

Demonstrations protesting queer inclusive education are planned in at least 80 cities across the country on Wednesday, with hundreds of people planning to participate in a counter protest in Toronto.

Demonstrations protesting queer inclusive education are planned in at least 80 cities across the country on Wednesday, with hundreds of people planning to participate in a counter protest in Toronto.

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.

Gender identity in the education sector has frequented headlines in recent months, since Saskatchewan and New Brunswick adopted gender and pronoun policies that require parental consent for students under the age of 16 who want to change their given names and/or pronouns at school.

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.

“Unfortunately not all of us come from deeply supportive families,” Poole said.

The 519 is planning a counter protest, with 600 participants registered to congregate at Barbara Hall Park on Wednesday before marching to Queen’s Park, to make it clear that “hate has no home in Ontario.”

“If you showed up for Pride this year, it’s really time to show up for the community the rest of the year as well. Pride is every day,” Poole said.