Protests In Canada Over Gender, Sexual Identity In School Curriculum

New Delhi: At a time when the Justin Trudeau government is engaged in a diplomatic standoff with India on alleged support to Khalistan,  a massive wave of protests centered around gender and sexual education in schools has swept across Canada. Thousands of parents and other protesters gathered across Greater Toronto area on Wednesday under the banner ‘1 Million March for Children’, CBC News said in a report. The group had one demand: To “protect our children from indoctrination and sexualisation.”

Jane Agosta, who took part in one such protest, told CBC News that she came out in support of her child, who she said is currently transitioning. Ms Agosta said she wanted to speak out against the inflammatory messaging of the provincial government.

In response, counter-protests were also organised, with groups meeting at places like Queen’s Park, where thousands gathered.

“I was a teacher and I am openly queer,” one of the protesters from the group, Kit Etcheverry, told Global News. “I grew up in a household where I wasn’t able to be myself until my 30s and it is really important that all children know that there are people that love them and support them.”

Benita Pedersen, the co-ordinator of ‘1MillionMarch4Children’ in Edmonton, accused the schools of “planting seeds in the minds of young children to start thinking about transgenderism”. She told the outlet that Wednesday’s march was not about hate or discrimination.

Toronto District School Board (TDSB), Peel District School Board (PDSB), Durham District School Board (DDSB) and Halton District School Board (HDSB) issued separate statements before the protest saying they all support the LGBTQ community.