UPDATE: Hundreds of anti-SOGI demonstrators take part in Vernon march, trans supporters also on hand

The protestors marched down 30th Street, turned onto 30th Avenue, and then proceeded down 32nd Street/Highway 97. Their numbers grew during the march to roughly over 300.

At approximately 11:30 a.m. the protestors arrived at the intersection of 32nd Street and 25th Avenue where they gathered along the sidewalks to show off their signs to passing traffic.

Protestors marched through downtown Vernon and then stood around the intersection of 25th Ave. and 32nd St. (photos by Liam Verster / Vernon Matters)

The protesters were still taking up the sidewalks and the entrance to Polson Park at last report.

Anti-SOGI protestors lined the sidewalks at the intersection of 32nd St. and 25th Ave,. (video by Liam Verster / Vernon Matters)

The protest was supposedly going to move into Polson Park where speeches would be held Wednesday afternoon, though there was no exact timeline for when those would happen.

The counter-protestors were not seen on the sidewalks or during the march, but some of them did tell Vernon Matters they were planning to go to Polson Park as well to represent the pro-SOGI side.

The protest was peaceful as of 11 a.m. when the marchers were leaving City Hall.

UPDATE: 11 a.m.

Protests and counter protests are happening across the country today over school policies on gender.

More than 300 people gathered outside Vernon City Hall this morning, representing both sides of the issue, and they later marched to Polson Park.

Anti-SOGI protestors march through downtown Vernon (Liam Verster/Vernon Matters photo)

March organizers say schools are exposing their children to inappropriate content about sexuality and gender identity, and they support the policies requiring parental consent.

Anna was one of the protestors at city hall. She told Vernon Matters said she was standing up for not only her three kids, but all the kids and parents that don’t want indoctrination in the schools, saying they should just let “kids be kids.”

“I believe there are two genders, and that’s why I’m here, standing up,” Anna said.

She is concerned about the sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) school curriculum that is “not reality and truth.”

“It’s confusing kids more than educating them. They should stick with math and reading and writing and not bring in infiltration of other idealogies.”

Other protestors, like Jordan, said they didn’t believe “it’s not the role of the government to teach our kids about sexuality and basically who they are as individuals.”

Wendy, another parent attending the rally, claimed SOGI was confusing for children.

“Everyone learns at a different age and to get pushed at a young age and to get pushed with this at such a young age [when] you’re not ready for this is wrong,” Wendy told Vernon Matters.

Many of the parents who spoke with Vernon Matters said these topics should be taught at home by the parents and that schools should stick teaching reading, writing and math.

Approximately two thirds of the anti-SOGI protestors were seniors or older people, though there were still lots of parents and a handful of children attending the rally.

Along with the anti-SOGI rally at City Hall there was a small counter-protest of about 20 people in support of the LGBT community and the SOGI educational tool.

Brie, a trans, non-binary person, came to the event to support the trans community.

“SOGI is important because children are growing up in a world where there are different identities and sexualities, and even if they themselves don’t identify with that, it’s important for them to be able to understand and be inclusive of these other people,” Brie told Vernon Matters.

Brie added SOGI is teaching children how to be more respectful and inclusive to others.

LGBTQ and trans supporters who attended Vernon event. (Liam Verster/Vernon Matters photo)

School District 22, the Vernon Teachers Association and CUPE Local 5523 issued a statement earlier this week, affirming their unwavering support for inclusivity, diversity and the promotion of sexual orientation and gender identity rights in schools.

UPDATE: 10:20 a.m.

Vernon Matters reporter Liam Verster says over 200 people are gathered outside Vernon City Hall for the anti-SOGI march.

He estimates about 20 people at the site are counter-protestors.

Anti-SOGI protest outside Vernon City Hall (Liam Verster/Vernon Matters photo)

Original story

The anti-SOGI event in Vernon is underway outside city hall.

It’s part of nation-wide marches today aimed at eliminating the sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) curriculum in schools.

The One Million March For Children will proceed to Polson Park at 11, and a number of counter-protestors were also on hand at City Hall around 10 a.m.

RCMP say they will be keeping an eye on the activities.

Vernon Matters’ reporter Liam Verster is covering the event and will be providing updates.

SOGI-related events are being held across Canada including in Ottawa where thousands of protesters and counter-protestors have been facing off in front of Parliament Hill.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh led a group of counter-protesters, saying he was standing up against anti-LGBTQ hate and discrimination, and that all children have the right to feel safe in their community.

by Liam Verster and Pete McIntyre

UPDATE: Hundreds of anti-SOGI demonstrators take part in Vernon march, trans supporters also on hand

What Matters