We Unify claims they are standing up to censorship and cancel culture. We are not trying to cancel or censor anyone; however, 1 Million Voices for Inclusion believes that speakers with public platforms must be accountable for the lies and misinformation they spread under the guise of “protecting the children.”
SOGI 123, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity program, is an inclusive education initiative developed in collaboration by educators and education organizations to make schools safer and more inclusive for students of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
It is not a curriculum, nor is it sexual health education, but a set of policies, procedures and resources that provide guidance on creating age appropriate and inclusive environments where all identities are equally represented and all students feel safe, respected and welcome.
Right-wing radical groups like We Unify oppose this diversity and inclusion, despite its roots in research and science, calling it “radical gender ideology.” This phrase is a dog whistle intended to make SOGI 123 seem harmful to kids by making false accusations and spreading misinformation. We encourage you to do your own research. Source: https://www.sogieducation.org/
Who are we protesting?
Maxime Bernier is the founder of the People’s Party of Canada and former member of parliament under the Conservatives. Like many in alt-right political spaces, Bernier has pivoted to attacking trans people and trans kids in recent years, calling our existence in public a danger to women and children and deriding “radical gender ideology”. He has run as the leader of his party in multiple federal elections and his hatred and bigotry has been rejected by his riding in Beauce, Quebec, multiple times. He has also worked to have inclusive material banned from school libraries across the country. If elected, he represents a grave threat to trans and queer people’s safety. Source: https://www.antihate.ca/maxime_bernier_radical_gender_ideology_policy_school_board_meeting_2slgbtq_book_banning
Meghan Murphy is a prominent “feminist” writer and anti-vaxxer. Murphy has turned her attention in recent years to attacking trans people, and specifically trans women, claiming she supports them so long as she can consider them men and demand their removal from women’s spaces. She has appeared multiple times this year on the island at anti-trans events like Vancouver Island Speaks and other We Unify events. Her continued appearances threaten the safety of trans and queer people in our communities. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meghan_Murphy
Dr Charles Hoffe was once a physician practicing in Lytton, BC and was suspended by Interior Health over encouraging patients to doubt the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines and proposing ivermectin (a veterinary heartworm medication) as a treatment route for the disease. He represents a danger to the health and wellbeing of our communities, especially queer folks who struggle with disabilities or auto-immune conditions and who’s lives rely on herd immunity and public masking. Source: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/charles-hoffe-doctor-discipline-panel-covid19-1.6361624
We believe that ALL youth, including transgender, gender-diverse, and queer youth belong in our society. We want to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to grow up and thrive in a safe, nurturing and welcoming spaces in school and at home.