Anti-Trans Canadian March Outnumbered By Huge Trans Rights Crowds, Teachers Unions
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Anti-Trans Canadian March Outnumbered By Huge Trans Rights Crowds, Teachers Unions
Anti-trans group, 1 Million March 4 Children, planned massive protests against the rights of trans students. They were largely drowned out by huge crowds of supporters for trans rights and unions.
On Wednesday, huge crowds gathered after anti-trans organizers called for a “million man march” against transgender rights. Yet, it wasn't the opponents of trans rights who predominantly showed up. Instead, crowds of supporters for transgender rights and teachers unions backing them flooded streets in cities such as Toronto, Vancouver, and Ottawa. Pride flags were raised in front of city buildings, and even Canada's Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, lent his voice in support. What was envisioned as a day to spotlight the “widespread opposition” to LGBTQ+ youth instead blossomed into a remarkable display of backing and unity for trans individuals across Canada.
The group named "1 Million March 4 Children" began promoting the march on August 20th. Just a day after, they revealed their alliance with the anti-trans group Gays Against Groomers, a group which has previously organized anti-LGBTQ+ rallies, drawing supporters from groups like Moms For Liberty and the Proud Boys in the U.S. A probe by Press Progress has also exposed connections between 1 Million March 4 Children to far-right groups previously known for their involvement in other anti-LGBTQ+ protests and the Freedom Convoys.
The group lists as its stated purpose: “advocating for the elimination of the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) curriculum, pronouns, gender ideology and mixed bathrooms in schools.”
The group had planned marches in over 100 cities, according to organizers. On the lead up, they advertised support from other right-wing organizations, such as Canada’s pro-life Campaign Life Coalition and Veterans For Freedom, a group associated with Freedom Convoy protesters.
On the day of the march, things quickly turned south for the protesters in Canada’s biggest cities:
Vancouver saw extremely large counter-protest crowds. In the leadup to the event, the Mayor of Vancouver posted a picture of a city hall window with a progress pride flag hanging from it. In what would become a common theme of the day, the region’s largest teacher’s union, the BC Teachers’ Federation, posted links to counter-protest information. In a statement posted to their website, the group stated:
“It is outrageous that these organizations use the well-being of children as a pretext for hate. They are notoriously silent when it comes to the real needs of children, including decent, affordable childcare; a well-funded public education system; living wages and higher income and disability assistance rates for parents; affordable housing for families; and action to ensure a livable world for future generations. And they show no concern for the mental health of the trans kids and teenagers harmed by their hateful portrayal of trans people.:
Ultimately, thousands of counter-protesters flooded the street, drowning out the sparse anti-trans crowd.
A similarly large gathering formed in Ottawa, where federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh showed up to carry the Pride banner at the head of the march. Ontario Teacher’s Federation, representing 160,000 teachers, organized its members to be part of the counter-protests in Ottawa. They were met with several other unions, including the Ottawa Labour Council, representing 50,000 workers in the city. The Labour Council released a statement:
“By enacting these policies, these governments have condoned the hateful behaviour of people across the country who are targeting and endangering trans children. In this climate of rising hate, Canada’s schools should be inclusive and safe spaces for children and staff to be present and protected, not places that out kids to potentially unsupportive families.”
Video footage on the ground shows anti-trans protesters vastly outnumbered and overwhelmed, with one of the live-streamers claiming to be “encircled and trapped” by “a massive crowd of counter-protesters.”
Large crowds of trans rights supporters marched in Toronto, buoyed by similar support seen in other cities. Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow posted in solidarity with counter-protesters, saying “I continue to stand with you today in the face of hate.” A trans pride flag was raised in front of the city council building to show support. The Elementary Teachers of Toronto, representing 11,000 teachers in the city, were heavily involved in the protest. Members of the organization had a strong showing, posing with trans flag banners and marching alongside counter-protesters. In a statement on Twitter, the union advocated for trans students:
“ETT vigorously opposes any harassment, hate, and discrimination against the rights and dignity of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities; and we stand in solidarity with students, families, and members in the protection of these rights and inclusive education.”
While major cities largely saw huge counter-protester crowds, some cities did see a more even split. Reports from Winnipeg and Calgary, for instance, indicate that the numbers of anti-trans protesters were more even in number.
In recent months, policies that have grown popular with conservatives in the United States have begun to take root in the conservative regions of Canada. Saskatchewan, for instance, has adopted a new policy alongside New Brunswick that requires transgender students to inform parents if they wish to change their pronouns in schools. The education minister of Ontario, Stephen Lecce, likewise indicated his support for parental notification. Meanwhile, Canadian conservatives, lead by Pierre Poilievre, have recently adopted a set of platform positions that include trans bathroom bans, sports bans, and gender affirming care bans.
With the spotlight now on transgender individuals in Canada, several advocacy groups viewed today as a barometer for the potential success of anti-trans rhetoric in the nation. If today's events serve as any indicator, opponents of transgender rights will face significant hurdles to enact discriminatory policies, particularly given the robust union backing given to trans students. Still, while many trans supporters are likely to depart today with a sense of triumph, there remains a pressing need to continue defending their hard-earned rights in days to come.
Anti-Trans Canadian March Outnumbered By Huge Trans Rights Crowds, Teachers Unions
Thank you so much for this reporting. I am glad I get to support your work. I cannot tell you how much it means to me to know that you are doing this work and keeping me informed. And to see this response in Canada is completely encouraging.
Also, you expose the collusion between the far right and the anti-trans sentiment over and over again. Critical!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
This is great news and gives me hope that Canada will remain a safe place for trans people. On a more speculative note, I hope that Canada would be willing to offer trans Americans asylum if things here ever get really bad on a national level.