(Submitted image/Hands Off Our Kids)

By Pete McIntyre

nationwide event

School district, church leaders issue statements on anti-SOGI march

Sep 19, 2023 | 11:50 AM

Vernon will be part of nation-wide marches aimed at eliminating the sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) curriculum in schools, but local educators and church ministers are speaking out against the event.

The One Million March For Children on Wednesday, Sept. 20 is being organized by Hands Off Our Kids.

“Our mission is to unite people for a noble cause, to safeguard children from gender ideology teachings, sexual indoctrination, exposure to explicit sexual content, ensuring that parental consent remains paramount,” the group’s website stated.

The group, which says it is “uniting diverse backgrounds and faiths,” is encouraging students to participate in a “nation-wide school walkout” in support of the event.

School District 22, the Vernon Teachers Association and CUPE Local 5523 issued a joint statement “to affirm our unwavering support for inclusivity, diversity and the promotion of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity rights for within our educational community.”

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“Our collective committment is rooted in our desire to provide high-quality education and foster a secure, inclusive environment for all students, staff and community members. We firmly believe that embracing diversity and upholding human rights is essential for the well-being and prosperity for our entire district,” the statement from SD 22 Superintendent Christine Perkins, Dave MacKenzie, president of the Vernon Teachers Association and Gray Boisvert, president of CUPE Local 5523, said.

According to the B.C. government’s website, “Everyone has a sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI). It’s an inclusive term that applies to everyone, whether they identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, two-spirit, heterosexual or cisgender (identifying with the same gender that one was assigned at birth).

The website goes on to say: “It’s important for schools to be inclusive and safe spaces for students of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Being SOGI-inclusive means:

• Speaking about SOGI in a way that makes every student feel like they belong
• Not limiting a person’s potential based on their biological sex and how they understand or express their gender
• Welcoming everyone without discrimination, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity

Vernon’s march will begin with a gathering at city hall at 10 a.m., Sept. 20, followed by a march to Polson Park at 11 a.m. and then speakers and entertainment at the park at noon.

Kelowna’s event will include a march starting at 11 a.m. with participants asked to meet starting at 9 a.m. at City Hall and Stuart Park.

Vernon’s Trinity United Church issued a statement, calling on the community “to learn more about sexual orientation and gender identity based on fact, caring and compassion.”

Barry Dorval, a member of Trinity United and a former educator, said SOGI inclusive education helps students feel safe, respected and included in B.C. schools.

“Many messages are floating around right now that concern some parents and other community members. Is SOGI-inclusive education harming our children? Does it promote sexualized behaviour? Does it push boys to become girls and girls to become boys?” Whether we are parents or grandparents, more distant relatives, or simply adults who value youth in our community, we all want to know that children are safe and are being properly cared for and educated. We owe it to our kids and ourselves to learn about SOGI 123,” Dorval stated.

Dorval said SOGI 123 lessons don’t teach students how to live as an LGBTQ+ person.

“What they do teach is that LGBTQ+ people are a part of our community, and the learning activities reinforce the importance of schools being a safe, respectful, welcoming space for all students, including those who are gay or who choose to transition,” Dorval said.

“SOGI 123 lessons aren’t only for a small percentage of students who identify as LGBTQ+. Discrimination in any of its forms hurts everyone, regardless of whether individuals are targeted by it. Bullying makes everyone feel unsafe, not just the victim.”

Dorval’s statement has been endorsed by several local church leaders including Rev. Robin Jacobson and the Church Board at Trinity United Church, Vernon Rev. Chris Harwood-Jones at All Saints Anglican Church, Vernon Rev. David Hunter and Church Council at Peace Lutheran Church and nine retired United Church of Canada ministers affiliated with Trinity United.

“As Christ followers we take the safe inclusion of all our children in the classroom very seriously. SOGI is a hugely supportive step toward achieving this,” Rev. Robin Jacobson, minister at Trinity United, said.