A rally was held in Lethbridge as part of the '1 Million March 4 Children' initiative, September 20, 2023. (Photo: LNN)

By Joel Mendelson

Lethbridge rally sparks debate on sexuality education and parental consent

Sep 20, 2023 | 4:42 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – A large crowd of people gathered outside of Lethbridge City Hall on Wednesday, September 20, 2023.

A rally was held as part of the ‘1 Million March 4 Children’ initiative, which opposes the way schools are teaching students about sexuality and gender identity, and how teachers refer to transgender youth. Gatherings were held across the country.

Participants also said children are being exposed to inappropriate content about sexuality, and they voiced support for policies suggesting that parental consent is required and that parents should be informed of what their children are being taught.

The ‘1 Million March 4 Children’ initiative opposes the way schools are teaching students about sexuality. (Photo: LNN)

Crowds gathered outside Lethbridge City Hall, Wednesday September 20, 2023. (Photo: LNN)

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The Lethbridge School Division has SOGI guidelines, which are meant to be used to create a safe, respectful, and caring environment for all students.

The guidelines state, “allowing children to take the lead with their gender identity and supporting them with this exploration is helpful. We help children when we give them room and freedom to explore, free of judgment.”

It is also written, “Our school staff members are always encouraged to collaborate with parents/guardians about the learning and well-being of their children. When the student’s wishes, and the wishes of their parent/guardian conflict, contact can be made with the system support team for support and consultation.”

Protest organizer Chelle Landry said, “We feel as parents and community members that it’s our responsibility to stand up for our children and grandchildren, and make sure they are receiving education at school and not sexual indoctrination.”

Landry continued, “Parents have the right to educate their children and be aware of what they are being taught in the public education system, and with SOGI policy and procedures, the schools and the teachers are keeping information from the parents. They are instructed to keep information from the parents rather than encouraging students to communicate with their parents and build that relationship.”

The rally was met with counter-protestors, suggesting that opposing said policies like SOGI are a violation of children’s rights and that transgender children, as well as those in the 2SLGBTQ+ community, should not be outed to their parents.

Kim Siever, president of OUTreach Southern Alberta Society said, “The single most important thing that 2SLGBTQ+ students need in their lives to be able to thrive is that family and community support.”

He continued, “So I think it is of utmost importance that families provide an affirming and welcoming and supportive environment within the home because that will really help those youth and those children survive and to thrive in their lives and if they can’t get it at home, I think the next best place for them to have it is at school. ”

Regarding the topic of children being indoctrinated by sexuality, Siever said, “The idea that children are exposed to sexuality in kindergarten is misleading because everybody is exposed to sexuality in school, outside of school, while they’re children, while they’re adults.”

He elaborated, “Fairy tales are all about the princess falling in love with the prince, going to the ball, falling in love, getting married, becoming the queen. It’s all about sexuality. To say that children are exposed to sexuality in kindergarten is just misleading.”

Siever issued a letter to the Lethbridge School Division on behalf of the society outlining their encouragement of support for 2SLGBTQ+ students in the classroom prior to Wednesday’s rally.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now.

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