Vernon Matters file photo

By Liam Verster

Private Screening

Public outcry leads to Vernon theatre cancelling anti-LGBTQ+ movie

Jun 13, 2024 | 4:15 PM

The Cineplex theatre in Vernon will not be showing a movie that has received criticism for being transphobic.

Kylie Walman, a local lawyer and member of Lawyers Against Transphobia, says the Cineplex has cancelled a private showing of the film The War on Children at Galaxy Cinemas, as organized by a group called The Freedom Network.

The film in question has been criticized for using editing trickery to misrepresent participant’s quotes and make them appear in favour of exposing children to sexually explicit material, with Walman saying it also falsely claims that medical care for gender dysphoria harms children.

“We pointed out to Cineplex their legal obligations as a theatre owner,” Walman said in an emailed statement.

“And we pointed out that to permit the film to run would be contrary to the values of inclusion that Cineplex supports, and would be particularly bad press for Cineplex in Pride Month.”

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The film was scheduled to be privately screened on June 15, but Walman said Cineplex agreed to ‘cancel the screening “out of respect for Pride Month.”‘

Walman added Lawyers Against Transphobia have found that the Freedom Network are planning to show the film in other communities, and are writing letters to the theatres to “explain their legal obligations under the Human Rights Code with respect to a showing that harms a marginalized community,” and request they follow the lead of the Cineplex and Galaxy Theatres in Vernon and cancel the events.

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