Passionate protestors on both sides converged on school district buildings, Nanaimo City Hall, and Maffeo Sutton Park twice in 2023, in support or in opposition to the teaching of sexual orientation and gender identity in schools. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

big crowds, high emotions

Top Stories of 2023: Tempers flare during rallies on SOGI education in Nanaimo schools

Dec 20, 2023 | 2:57 PM

NANAIMO — Emotions ran high and at least two people were arrested when protestors and counter-demonstrators clashed over the teaching of sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) in schools during two separate incidents in Nanaimo this year.

At the heart of the matter is whether or not topics around SOGI should be addressed in class, or whether it should be left solely to parents and caregivers at home.

The Nanaimo rallies were part of the so-called “1 Million March 4 Children” demonstrations, with similar rallies held across the country.

First rally
On the morning of Sept. 20, protestors against SOGI gathered at the SD68 Board Office on Wakesiah Ave., sporting Canadian flags and signs showing their opposition to SOGI.

Those supporting SOGI were also present, at times outnumbering those against 10:1, with around 175 people in total outside the school board office.

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Erica Bakewell, co-founder of The Coast is Queer, said there seems to be a lot of confusion from those against SOGI.

“We are out here to celebrate SOGI, to celebrate the School District, to show that we are so thankful for their support as the community as the LGBTQ community and we think that many people are using this platform for whatever their version of hate is, they’re just taking it and using it so they can come out here and be ugly, and we’re currently the victims.”

Protesters against SOGI carried signs and attempted to tell the gathered crowd to “wake up”, with counter-demonstrators chanting slogans in unison, including “no space for hate”.

In a joint statement issued on Sept. 19 from Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools, Nanaimo District Teachers Association and CUPE Local 606, unwavering support was offered for all students.

“We want to affirm our recognition of your [LGBTQ2S+ students] presence, and we want to emphasize our unwavering support for you. You are an indispensable part of our school community and we are firmly committed to nurturing an environment in which you can excel.”

SD68 adopted a new Inclusion policy in 2016, a move which is believed to be the first by a School District in B.C.

Supporters of SOGI education in schools vastly outnumbered those opposed at a rally along Wakesiah Ave. on Sept. 20, at the SD68 Board Office. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

City Hall
By 10 a.m., both sides had moved down Third St./Fitzwilliam St. for the second part of the rally at Nanaimo City Hall, where both sides increased in numbers as emotions began to boil over.

Police were on-site monitoring the scene as both sides remained separated on either side of the street, yelling slogans and leading organized chants in attempts to drown out the other side’s message.

At the City Hall rally, anti-SOGI protestor Lynn said she was demonstrating on behalf of her grandchild.

She was concerned about what she said is the sexualization of education, especially around same-sex couples and transgender people.

“I don’t believe the sex education that’s being taught in schools is appropriate and when we have transgenders going in and reading them stories in selective clothing, absolutely not. God’s being taken out of schools and I believe Satan’s slipping right in.”

She cited books in school “teaching [kids] transgender too much” and said the material was too graphic for children who are “so young, so vulnerable”.

At least one arrest was made, with Mounties chasing a man who ran from the City Hall protest after allegedly pushing an opposing protester.

The rally eventually relocated to Maffeo Sutton Park where anti-SOGI protesters held a loosely organized event featuring speeches, including from former PPC Nanaimo-Ladysmith candidate Stephen Welton.

Nanaimo RCMP officers maintained a presence at the rallies outside Nanaimo City Hall on Sept. 20. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Second Rally, Oct. 21
Just over a month later, around 200 people representing both sides of the SOGI debate once again met at Nanaimo City Hall before once again moving to Maffeo Sutton Park.

Those supporting lessons and information around SOGI in schools once again outnumbered those against throughout, by a roughly 5:1 ratio at City Hall then around 3:1 at the park.

“I’m a teacher, I’m a mom, I’m queer and I am here to continue to stand over and over again to say that it doesn’t matter how many times you come out, how many times you march, we’re going to keep showing up and keep saying no,” Bakewell told NanaimoNewsNOW.

While smaller in numbers than the first rally, RCMP were on hand again to monitor the situation and help keep the peace, mostly through verbal communication.

Around a half dozen Nanaimo RCMP officers were on scene at both locations, making at least one arrest during the Oct 21 event. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

One person supporting SOGI was arrested after allegedly assaulting an anti-SOGI protester along Wallace St.

Other flare-ups saw small numbers of SOGI supporters or protesters verbally engage the other side in close quarters, face to face.

An open mic was set up by SOGI protesters, several spoke on what they said were their own experiences and understandings around the subject matter.

One woman and a high school-aged girl said their views were contained in a sign saying “let kids be kids”

“It is all said in this sign, this sign right here,” the older woman said. “This is what this child [the high-school-aged girl standing next to her] wants and my grandchildren want the same and my children want the same and we are fighting for the freedom of our children.”

Debate continues online about this issue, with the anti-SOGI side promising to continue taking action.

Join the conversation. Submit your letter to NanaimoNewsNOW and be included on The Water Cooler, our letters to the editor feature.

jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow