Supporters of the LGBTQIA2S+ community outnumber, out-yell Million March protesters in Halifax

Vocal supporters of the LGBTQIA2S+ community overwhelmed the planned 1 Million March 4 Children in downtown Halifax on Wednesday.

Loud chants of “trans rights are human rights” and “we’re here, we’re queer and we’re not going anywhere,” followed by resounding cheers reverberated throughout the Grand Parade in front of City Hall before the Million March group marched out of the square, past Province House and toward the Education Department offices on Brunswick Street.

“As a parent of a child who is non-binary, I know that they’ve grown up in a community where they feel accepted and they don’t have shame,” said a woman who wanted to be identified only as Kim.

“We know that mental well-being is important for our children and that comes from a feeling that you are accepted and that you have a strong community behind you,” said Kim, who climbed down from her perch atop a picnic table, where she took part in the chants, to talk with The Chronicle Herald.

“If children are not sharing their pronouns with their parents, it’s because they don’t feel safe to do so,” Kim said. 

“If parents are upset about that, maybe they should look in the mirror and ask themselves why their children are afraid to be truthful about the fullness of who they are with their own families. They should actually do some deep reflection on that and not try to point fingers at an education system that is there to support children and to support all children regardless of how they identify.”

Rally, protest draw hundreds

Hundreds of people pushed into Grand Parade and along the sidewalks of Argyle and Barrington streets above and below the square.

Those supporting the LGBTQIA2S+ community heavily outnumbered, out-yelled and out-chanted the minority 1 Million March 4 Children group, which had planned and publicized their march before being met with counter-protesters. 

Approached while marching, several members of the 1 Million March 4 Children declined to comment about why they were there. One woman said only “we are here, that’s our comment.”

Another woman carrying a sign said “the message is clear, leave our kids alone, that’s it.”

The marchers carried signs that read Hands off our kids, Protect our children and No to gender ideology in schools.

A policy about LGBTQ+ students in New Brunswick has caused ripples across the country.

New Brunswick’s Policy 713, introduced in August 2020, outlined minimum requirements for a safe environment for LGBTQ students. This past June, the province’s Progressive Conservative government made changes to the policy, requiring a teacher or school to obtain parental consent for any child who wants to change their name or identifying pronoun at school.

 A student who refuses parental involvement would be referred to a school psychologist or social worker to develop a plan to inform the student’s parents.

March message

The Halifax 1 Million March 4 Children, one of many scheduled across the country, was introduced by an ambiguous website message.

“Dear friends, in a world increasingly divided, we invite you to be a unifying force,” by joining in the march, the website information states.

“Our mission is clear and singular: to advocate for the well-being and safety of children everywhere.” 

The FAQ section of the website provides a question about the group being anti-LGBTQ+.

“By no means,” was the answer. “We deeply value the rich spectrum of perspectives within the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. If you share our belief that discussions on gender ideology should be approached at age-appropriate times, we wholeheartedly invite you to stand alongside us and amplify this message.”

Asked about a stance on children’s exposure to sexual orientation and gender identities, the website answer was “we believe in the importance of letting children grow and explore naturally.

“Children are naturally curious and imaginative. Our concern is that certain decisions, especially those that have permanent, life-changing consequences, should be made when an individual is mature enough to fully grasp their implications. Just as we might believe a child is too young to consent to a tattoo, we similarly believe they should be protected from making irreversible decisions about their bodies at a young age.”

NSTU weighs in

The Nova Scotia Teachers Union posted to X, formerly known as Twitter, that “as a province and society, we have a responsibility to ensure that our classrooms, schools and communities are safe and inclusive environments for all students, including those who identify as gender and/or sexually diverse.”

The NSTU post went on to say if students are to reach their full potential, “schools must be spaces free of discrimination, where all students are celebrated, valued and feel safe to express who they are without fear.”

NSTU president Ryan Lutes participated in the counter-protest.

Premier Tim Houston posted that the Nova Scotia government supports the LGBTQIA2S+ community and growing safe and inclusive communities across our province.

“No matter who you are, who you love, or how you identify, Nova Scotians deserve to live without fear and intimidation,” the premier said in his X post.

Kim, who had taught school in Ontario, said the majority of people who are members of the 1 Million March 4 don’t even know what the school curriculums are .

“Educators are teaching about these issues in age-appropriate ways, they are opening up possibilities and they are emphasizing acceptance,” she said. “We know that a good, strong, progressive health education protects children, it saves lives.”

Standing behind Kim, another woman who chose not to be identified said she showed up Wednesday because she believes “in the fundamental human dignity and human rights of trans children and trans adults, queer children and queer adults.”