Anti-SOGI protest and counter-protest in Nanaimo

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Opening:

Last Wednesday Nanaimo saw a large protest centred around SOGI first outside of School District 68 and then outside City Hall and then march down to Maffeo Sutton Park. SOGI or Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, exists to guide educators in educating students on how to be inclusive of all people and make safe spaces for students of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

The anti-SOGI protest was started by an organization called 1 Million March 4 Children. Their website states that the purpose of the march is to advocate for the end of the SOGI, gender ideology, mixed washrooms, and pronouns. They say they want to help save children from indoctrination, and “sexualization” which they believe results from teaching SOGI. Some signs at the protest went further than that, equating SOGI to pornography while another equated it to paedophilia and eugenics.

The protest was met by a larger counter-protest which included members of the queer community, parents of queer youth, and straight allies. Counter-protesters went to support SOGI, queer and trans students and youth. While others went to stand up against hateful rhetoric and misinformation towards the queer and trans community that many in the anti-SOGI protest were spreading.

Today, CHLY’s civic news reporter Mick Sweetman, joins me to report on what he saw at the protest and counter-protest, while reporting on the story.

I will also speak with sexual health educator and Child Safety Champion, Kerri Isham and Nanaimo-Ladysmith School District Superintendent Scott Saywell about SOGI and sexual health education in schools to get a better idea about what is being taught. 

Transcript:

Transcription Incoming.

Report Transcription errors by emailing production@chly.ca.

Guests:

  • Mick Sweetman — Civic Journalism Reporter at CHLY.

  • Kerri Isham — Sexual Health Educator.

  • Scott Saywell — Superintendent at SD-68.

Program Team:

  • Lauryn Mackenzie — Host and Producer.

  • Jesse Woodward — Executive Producer.

  • Arbie Fru — Technical Assistance.

Theme Music:

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Lauryn Mackenzie