Sask. protests, counter-protests over LGBTQ rights in schools draw hundreds

Saskatchewan's two largest cities played host to protests over LGBTQ rights in schools Wednesday.

Several hundred people gathered in Saskatoon and Regina, some supporting policies like Saskatchewan's new pronoun and name rules for schools, and others gathered in counter-protest.

In Saskatoon hundreds gathered in Kiwanis Memorial Park to express anger at LGBTQ inclusive education. 

"It's not about hate or an anti-gay thing. It's just about having the right to be able to parent our kids and not have that interfered at a school level," Erica Grenier, one of the organizers of the Saskatoon iteration of "1 Million March 4 Children."

Grenier said the protest was also to show solidarity with the government's recent new policy around sex education and pronoun policies. She said many faith communities share her sentiments. 

Similar events were planned across Canada Wednesday, with some parents and socially conservative groups protesting LGBTQ-inclusive education policies in the classroom and in extracurricular settings under the banner of parental rights. But critics and researchers say the term "parental rights" is a misnomer because it doesn't address the concerns of LGBTQ parents or parents of LGBTQ children.

"We are here to fight for our kids. We don't want them to be sexually indoctrinated at young ages," said Sandi Kullman, one of the demonstrators.

"How two men or women have sex, should that be in books out there in libraries and schools? It's just disgusting."

Joan Kruesel and Kullman held on to a poster that read, "Take back control of education." Kullman said parents should have choice in what is being taught to their children.

 "We are not angry with anyone, but we want a choice to protect our children and grandchildren."

Many diverse groups gathered expressed similar sentiments.

Mustafa Mustaan addressed the gathering at Kiwanis Memorial park, saying schools are targeting the kids. He said parents, not teachers, should provide sex education.

"You can see the number of the LGBT community is much fewer here. But the way they are acting in the schooling system is the way as if they are the highest majority of the country, which is not so true," he said.

Mustaan said parents can choose the best for their children, and that many in the Muslim community in Saskatoon share his views.