Opposing protests took place outside the Courthouse in Kamloops on Wednesday, representing opposite views on gender identity being taught in schools.

Protesters with the group named the “1MillionMarch4Children” are protesting across Canada on Wednesday, calling out against Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity – or SOGI – programs being taught in B.C. public schools.

In Kamloops, a handful of protesters with that group, were met with hundreds of counter-protesters, in support of the LGBTQ+ community, including Alyssa Reynolds, who says she is happy with the love and support shown on Wednesday.

“The colour and joy that is here today and hearing all the vehicles honking as they go by, I think it is clear that Kamloops is a supportive community that just wants everyone to feel accepted and loved,” said Reynolds.

“I’m feeling the love from the community. I realized there are so many more people here to love and support everyone and that’s what it’s all about. We want people to know that we’re here and we love them and they can exist.”

Reynolds’ comments come as she believes the anti-SOGI protesters “don’t fully understand what SOGI is.”

“They have this fear of what SOGI is. SOGI is basically, everyone has a gender identity and no matter what your sexual orientation or gender identity is, you should be included in society,” she said.

“If people would just sit down and have a conversation or talk to their school principals, talk to their teachers and find out what’s actually being taught to children. They would learn that that is what it’s all about, there’s no indoctrinating that’s going on – just inclusivity and love… That’s it.”

Anti-SOGI protester Dawn, who is part of the “1MillionMarch4Children” group in Kamloops explains her reasoning behind why she decided to attend the protest.

“It has nothing to do with your sexual identity and it has more to do with the pornography that is being put into our schools and the sexual education that is happening in our schools,” said Dawn.

“Kids are there for an education, not sexual pleasure.”

Asked Dawn if she was happy with the turnout of protesters in Kamloops.

“Yep, I think it’s sad we were hijacked but, I think they can have a protest of their own if they want.”

 

-With files from the Canadian Press