Wellness Within Condemns Planned Demonstrations of Anti-2SLGTBQIA+ Hate Speech
Wellness Within is angered by news of planned marches spreading hate through anti-2SLGTBQIA+ and anti-trans agendas. The group, calling itself “1 Million March 4 Children” has demonstrations planned for communities across Canada, including Halifax and Moncton, on September 20th, 2023.
The organizers include far-right and anti-public education groups who aim to advance the dangerous and violent objective of removing Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity curriculum and policies from schools and online, as well as introducing laws that prohibit teachers from calling children by their chosen pronouns. The groups refer to sexual education and 2SLGTBQIA+ communities as a “perversion” “indoctrination” and “brainwashing”. This follows a “National Pride Flag Walk Out-Day” organized during Pride Month.
This homophobic and transphobic propaganda endangers our children and youth by promoting discrimination and oppression. A 2021 study released by Egale Canada noted that “Homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia remain rampant in Canadian schools” and 62% of 2SLGTBQIA+ student respondents felt unsafe at school. At Wellness Within we know that quality, inclusive public education is essential to the safety and health of our most vulnerable.
Counter-protests are being organized by 2SLGTBQIA+ supports across the county, and Wellness Within stands with these groups in condemning the hateful agenda of the 1 Million March. We urge community members and leaders to speak up in support of 2SLGTBQIA+ communities and in support of public education that is safe and inclusive for all.
Wellness Within is a volunteer-based registered non-profit organization that serves women, transgender, and nonbinary people who have experienced criminalization and are pregnant or have young children in Nova Scotia, part of the unceded and unsurrendered ancestral territory of the Mi'kmaq people.
Wellness Within supports people through the full spectrum of reproductive health experience; facilitates workshops and education sessions; develops resource materials; and advocates for reproductive justice issues.
Contact: Claire Rillie, Chair, 902-456-3807 or crillie@gmail.com and Dr. Martha Paynter, Director of Research, 9022927082 or martha.paynter@gmail.com