Free speech was exercised this morning on the sidewalk in front of Terrace’s city hall and the city’s RCMP detachment as protesters of the provincial sexual orientation and gender identities (SOGI) curriculum and those in favour of the curriculum waved flags and banners promoting their various points of view.
Passing vehicles honked support for one or the other groups and some drivers slowed down to engage in brief but spirited conversation with those on the sidewalk.
The anti-SOGI group assembled first at the Coast Mountains School District 82 offices on Kenney Street before walking to Terrace City Hall.
Their appearance was just one of many across the country assembled under the “1 Million March 4 Children” grouping while the Terrace Pride Pals organization represented the dissenters.
Anti-SOGI organizer Faye Ritter said governments have overstepped parental rights with the introduction of SOGI curriculum encompassing all grades beginning in 2016.
As laid out in curriculum material, SOGI is meant to make schools a welcoming and respectful place regardless of how a student discloses an identity or orientation.
Ritter said the anti-SOGI group is not one of hate but does object to decision-making surrounding the implementation of the curriculum in the schools.
“Parental rights are just not being represented in the school system,” she said.
“None of us hate here. This is all about the kids and parental rights.”
Another member of the anti-SOGI group, Anthany Norstrom, said that while people can do as they please as individuals, he felt “the schools were pushing their agenda on children.”
One of the Terrace Pride Pals organizers, Nina Valentine, said the group and its supporters were compelled to respond to the anti-SOGI rally.
“We would not be here if they were not,” Valentine said.
“SOGI is a way to help children and youth better understand themselves and their autonomy.”
Valentine thought the anti-SOGI rally participants were using emotions to fuel their position.
“It’s unfortunate they were willing to go this far and not use facts.”
Northwestern B.C. political representatives also weighed in on both sides of the SOGI debate.
“It’s deeply troubling to see the rise of anti-trans hate across Canada. I want LGBTQ+ youth in our region to know I’ve got their backs, and that we’ll keep working to ensure they’re safe and their rights are respected,” said NDP Skeena–Bulkley Valley MP Taylor Bachrach.
B.C. Conservative Party Leader John Rustad, who is also the MLA for the Nechako Lakes riding, said he would eliminate the current SOGI curriculum, calling it a distraction and divisive.
“Kids must be taught how to think — not what to think. We must allow parents and families to raise their own children how they see fit,” he said.
The “1 Million March 4 Children” listed close to 30 protest locations in B.C.
Aside from Terrace in northwestern B.C., there was an anti-SOGI rally in Prince Rupert and one in Vanderhoof.