Anti-Trans Rally Turns Into Forum of Understanding and Allyship
Calgary, Alberta — “One Million March” protesters in Calgary, Alberta yesterday were invited to have a meal and chat at the end of a day of…
Calgary, Alberta — “One Million March” protesters in Calgary, Alberta yesterday were invited to have a meal and chat at the end of a day of marching by a welcoming group calling themselves the Parents for Children. Exhausted and hungry after rallying all day, dozens accepted the invitation, resulting in a surprising turn of events.
Almost a hundred protest marches took place in cities across Canada yesterday, as part of the “One Million March for Children,” a movement asserting parental rights in the sex education of their children. The movement rose in response to backlash against recent decisions from Ministries of Education in Saskatchewan and New Brunswick that amongst other things, requires schools to seek permission from a parent or guardian before changing a child’s pronouns and preferred name.
Supported by some of the sponsors of the so-called “Freedom Convoy” whose leaders are currently standing trial on charges of inciting violence, the messaging of this new million march was clearly nebulous. What marketed itself as an inclusive yet concerned community of parents who want to be more involved in their children’s education, also included erroneous fear mongering around so-called “gender ideology,” including claims that schools were trying to influence children to change genders, become queer or take hormone blocking medication.
Counter-protests were organized in response to this anti-trans rhetoric, but they dwindled by midday, leaving the rallies empowered to continue to make their mark this afternoon.
After hours of protests that included children kept away from school in solidarity, protesters were clearly growing tired. Flyers were handed out using similar messaging, and inviting folks out for a free meal and conversation before calling it a day. Exhausted and hungry after rallying all day, dozens accepted the invitation, notably those of young families.
Families sat around small tables and were joined by one or two Parents for Children to break bread and discuss the issues at hand. And after a few hours of affirming yet probing conversation, the energy in the room notably shifted.
Through calm conversation, empathizing with concerns and pointing out the facts, parents were able to hear for themselves the foundational elements of sexual orientation and gender identity curriculum, and learn about the harms of anti-LGBTQ+ appeals. Now, those parents are talking to each other and put out a statement apologizing for participating in the march, and voicing their newfound solidarity with LGBTQIA children, students and communities.
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