Hundreds Turn Out to Support 2SLGBTQIA+ Rights and Inclusive Education

Hundreds of demonstrators turned out Friday afternoon to support the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in Newfoundland and Labrador in the wake of aggressive backlash against a St. John’s school that included a drag performance as part of its Pride festivities.

Last week, staff at St. Matthew’s School were harassed on social media after pictures and videos circulated online of an event that the school hosted in celebration of pride month. The video features a drag performer and students from the K-7 school dancing dancing in the gymnasium in celebration of gender diversity and inclusion.

Friday’s rally was originally planned as a counter-protest to an anti-Pride protest promoted by a far-right Facebook group, NL Media. But that protest was cancelled Thursday evening and there were no visible participants from the anti-Pride group. Instead, members and supporters of the local 2SLGBTQIA+ community chanted, sang songs and waved flags to counter the hatred.

“It is really beautiful that so many people showed up because it proves that haters never win,” said protestor Alex Rebelo. “It shows that you are not alone.”

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Several speakers addressed the crowd, highlighting the importance of inclusive education and trans health. They included St. John’s cit councillor Ophelia Ravencroft and local activist Jude Benoit of the grassroots group Peace Love ‘n Pride. Benoit said it’s been several years since they’ve seen this much animosity towards the  2SLGBTQIA+ community, but that the supportive public response was reassuring.

“I think the influence from the United States has really led to a place where we are having to go out there and protest again for our rights for representation, to just be ourselves, for kids to be safe in school,” they said. “But I know that it is just a moment in time and that it will get better again.”

Ravencroft, who is believed to be the province’s first openly transgender person to serve on a municipal council, said she was ‘over the moon’ by the show of support Friday. But she wished there wasn’t a need for counter-protests. “As long as we face opposition, as long as we face people that are trying to erase us from existence, then we are gonna need to push back,” she said. “And if we can push back with this kind of strength then we are gonna keep winning.”

Inclusive education is necessary, say advocates

Sherry Hillier, president of CUPE Newfoundland Labrador, said it is important to teach students about inclusivity. “If we teach our children anything at a young age, they will just grow up with the respect and they will carry it forward with them, and they will know,” she said, “instead of being 13 years old and figuring out what it is to be queer, transgender.”

Protestor Diana Kopp echoed the sentiment, saying that learning about inclusivity helps promote tolerance: “[P]eople who are queer can learn to know themselves better and they can actually learn who they are and accept themselves and not be scared about how other people are going to perceive them.

On Wednesday, the Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Commission issued its own statement reminding the public that 2SLGBTQIA+ rights are human rights. “Educating children and youth on their gender expression, gender identity, and sexual orientation is not only helping them identify themselves in this world, but is also raising awareness of their human rights.”

The province’s human rights laws prohibit the discrimination of individuals based on their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

“Denying people the ability to identify themselves outside of the socially-constructed gender norms is not just,” the commission said in its statement. “Treating people differently because of their sexual orientation or gender, in a protected area, is an act of discrimination that is unacceptable.

“We stand in solidarity with the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District (NLESD) and applaud them for creating safe spaces for students to identify themselves.”

Attack on Inclusive Education & 2SLGBTQIA+ Community Members: A Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Concern.#pride #inclusivitymatters #humanrights pic.twitter.com/flq3KskfJg

— NLhumanrights (@NLhumanrights) June 7, 2023

Several provincial politicians, including Premier Andrew Furey, also attended the event. On Friday the province’s Office of Women and Gender Equality issued a statement saying the government “recognizes that 2SLGBTQQIA+ rights are human rights,” and that “[t]o support these efforts it is important for institutions, including schools, workplaces and other public spaces, to welcome people with diverse backgrounds and beliefs.

“The K-12 curriculum in the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District and Le Conseil scolaire francophone provincial de Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador teaches and reinforces messages about inclusivity, mutual respect, and kindness,” the statement says. “These educational components are vital as we continue to grow an equitable and thriving province based on the social determinants of health and well-being and rooted in a strong sense of belonging.”

While Benoit was happy about the turnout, they said they hoped to see a stronger presence at this year’s Pride celebrations.

 “I would like everyone to come out and joins us at the various events that are happening. I think it’s more important this year than it has been in the last several years,” they said. “And if you know queer parents then you should reach out to them, check on them, bring them food and make sure that they are supported.”