Winnipeggers protest ‘gender ideology’ in schools; counter-protesters say trans youth need protection

A few hundred people gathered in Winnipeg – with thousands more in cities across Canada – for competing protests on the way schools teach sexuality and gender identity, and how teachers refer to transgender youth.

Parent protesters with the “1MillionMarch4Children” stood on the lawn at the side of the Manitoba legislature Wednesday, chanting “leave our kids alone” in opposition to what they call “gender ideology” in schools.

Protesters say children are being exposed to inappropriate content about sexuality, and they support policies requiring parental consent.

“I’m afraid for our children, the future of our children,” said protester Susan Aleck, a Winnipeg grandmother. “They shouldn’t be told they were born in the wrong body. That’s something they should talk about their parents. Not a schoolteacher.”

‘Gender ideology’ protesters Wayne and Susan Aleck part of the “1MillionMarch4Children” in Winnipeg Sept. 20, 2023. (Joanne Roberts, CityNews)

Nearby on the steps of the legislature, counter-protesters advocating for the protection of trans youth in Canada chanted “love is louder” and held signs like “allow trans youth to bloom” or “trans lives matter.”

Both groups were separated by a strong police presence throughout the morning rally.

“We understand that they’re scared about their children. Being a parent is scary,” said counter-protester Ceara Desmond. “But the people that need to be protected the most right now are gay people and trans people. The fear that they have been fed through social media is false and it is not about protecting children. It’s about pushing gay people and trans people back underground.

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“I think that this movement (1MillionMarch4Children) is growing and it’s dangerous, and it has a lot of potential to invade our politics. And it shouldn’t because it’s so homophobic, it’s so transphobic.

“This is violent, dangerous rhetoric.”

‘Gender ideology’ counter-protesters Ceara Desmond and Tasia Stroet in Winnipeg Sept. 20, 2023. (Joanne Roberts, CityNews)

The protests and counter-protests are linked to school policies, including in New Brunswick and Saskatchewan, that require young people to get parental consent before teachers can use their preferred first names and pronouns.

In June, New Brunswick’s government changed the province’s gender policy, requiring transgender and nonbinary students under 16 to get parental consent before their teachers can use their preferred first names.

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—With files from The Canadian Press