'Real danger in all of this': Anti-LGBTQ2S+ rallies, counter-protests planned across Canada

Protests and counter-protests for and against Canada's trans and LGBTQ2S+ community are being planned across Canada on Wednesday. Posters created by a group called '1MillionMarch4Children' say rally participants are 'standing together against gender ideology in schools.'

Protests and counter-protests for and against Canada's trans and LGBTQ2S+ community are being planned across Canada on Wednesday.

Posters created by a group called “1MillionMarch4Children” say rally participants are “standing together against gender ideology in schools.”

Sarah Worthman, an LGBTQ2S+ advocate who is helping organize at least 63 counter-protests across the country, said Canadians need to stand up for the community outside of Pride events.

“Allyship is a verb,” she said, as she called on supporters to stand in solidarity with LGBTQ2S+ folks who have increasingly been the subject of hate and political debate by attending the No Space for Hate events.

“There's this small but vocal minority of far-right individuals who constantly think they're the majority, and that everyone shares their views,” Worthman said.

She said she hopes the planned counter-protests can help show most Canadians are generally supportive, while countering hateful messaging they expect from protesters.

“Doing these small things shows there is social pushback,” she said. “There is real danger in all of this.”