Inclusivity and safety focused 2SLGBTQIA+ community advocates in Kelowna are speaking out ahead of the 1 Million March For Children, that is scheduled to take place across the country on Sept. 20.

According to the organizationsa国际传媒檚 website, the march is intended to encourage government and school boards to sa国际传媒�(eliminate) the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) curriculum, pronouns, gender ideology and mixed bathrooms in schools.sa国际传媒�

The organizers of the event are also encouraging students to walk out of class in support of the protest.

Six years ago, SOGI 123 was implemented across B.C. as a set of resources that could be used by teachers, families and students to help educate on 2SLGBTQIA+ and the issues the queer community faces.

Overall, the resource has been well received and adopted by school districts, said Clint Johnston, president of the BC Teachers Federation.

All people, including heterosexual and cis-gendered folks, have a sexual orientation and gender identity and use pronouns like he, she and they.

SOGI 123 education is designed to help educators, parents and students feel more comfortable with their own, and othersa国际传媒檚 unique identity.

Queer advocates in Kelowna are calling on public officials to speak out and denounce the messaging being promoted by the March for Children event organizers.

sa国际传媒淭he 1 Million March For Children raises serious concerns due to the dissemination of misleading information and false narratives about public education. Despite its sa国际传媒榮ave the childrensa国际传媒� slogan, this event will expose 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, a minority student group, to increased risks of harm and bullying,sa国际传媒� said Wilbur Turner, founder and chair of Advocacy Canada.

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sa国际传媒淲e call on public officials to denounce the hateful rhetoric being promoted through these type of events. All members of the community deserve to be afforded respect and dignity, without fear of discrimination because of their identity.sa国际传媒�

Carrie Broughton sa国际传媒� the founder of a non-profit organization developed by and for parents and caregivers of trans, gender diverse, and two-spirit people sa国际传媒� said that sa国际传媒渇ar-right conspiracy groups who spread dangerous lies about 2SLGBTQ+ peoplesa国际传媒� are the organizers of the event.

sa国际传媒淭he consequences of remaining silent in the face of hatred are great,sa国际传媒� said Broughton.

sa国际传媒淭ransParent Okanagan calls on all levels of government to denounce the march and its message of exclusion and hate and reiterate their support for inclusive policies in schools.sa国际传媒�

People working in schools have seen the value of SOGI 123 education in classrooms.

sa国际传媒淚 know firsthand how important it is to elevate young people and not strive to eliminate their freedom of expression, especially with trans and queer youth,sa国际传媒� said Tyson Cook, a queer man who works in education in addition to being a drag performer who goes by the stage name Freida Whales.

sa国际传媒淭his is an event that forces people like myself into hiding and denies the existence of the trans and queer community.sa国际传媒�

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READ MORE: People of privilege called on to support queer community after sa国际传媒榟ate crimesa国际传媒� in Kelowna

Jacqueline.Gelineau@kelownacapnews.com
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