Protests for and against LGBTQ2S+ inclusive education in Kitchener and Guelph

Hundreds gathered in downtown Kitchener and Guelph Wednesday for competing protests in support of and against LGBTQ2S+ inclusive education.

Hundreds gathered in downtown Kitchener and Guelph Wednesday for competing protests in support of and against LGBTQ2S+ inclusive education.

Demonstrations, under the banner “1 Million March 4 Children,” took place in cities across Canada Wednesday. According to the group’s website, they are advocating for the elimination of what they call “sexual orientation and gender identity curriculum, pronouns, gender ideology and mixed bathrooms” in schools.

Counter protests were mounted in response.

“They use a lot of language of ‘parents rights’ but what they are essentially saying is children do not have the right to self-autonomy,” said David Alton with GroundUp Waterloo Region, one of the groups who organized a counter protest.

Multiple organizations including the City of Kitchener and the Waterloo Region District School Board released statements Tuesday expressing solidarity with LGBTQ2S+ people ahead of the protests.

“Unfortunately, underlying some of the motivations behind these demonstrations are hate and inaccuracies about what is happening in schools," the school board said. "We continue to focus on creating inclusive, safe spaces, and ensuring the well-being of all students and staff… especially those most marginalized."