Okanagan march to support transgender rights a reaction to growing hate

A protest march against hate, and to support of the protection of transgender rights, will be held in Kelowna later this month.

The march on Oct. 15, organized by Advocacy Canada, hopes to send a powerful message of love and support to the trans community, according to a media release.

Organizers said the event is in response to a growing number of targeted attacks by extremist groups challenging government policies, particularly SOGI 123, an inclusive education program in place in BC schools for the past seven years.

"Seeing trans and gender diverse youth, a very tiny and vulnerable percentage of the student population, being told they can't be their authentic selves is heartbreaking," Wilbur Turner with Advocacy Canada said in the release. "All the evidence points to them having better outcomes with even the smallest gestures of support, such as seeing themselves represented in educational materials, and acknowledging their preferred name and pronouns.

"They deserve to hear voices of support to drown out the voices that say they should hide who they are."

People from across the Okanagan are invited to take part in the Kelowna march. It begins at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 15 at Stuart Park.

For more information, check out the Facebook event page here.

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