The McGill University student union has denounced last week’s pro-parent Million Person March as “anti-2SLGBTQ+” and backed by “far-right nationalist, religious, conspiracy theorist and anti-public education groups.”
The Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) was incensed by the protests in the city “colonially known as Montreal” and the rest of “so-called Canada.”
Thousands of Canadians gathered across the country on Sept. 20 to demand greater parental rights as they pertain to what children learn in school, but also their ability to change their gender identity in school.
The SSMU, however, claimed the protests were “anti-2SLGBTQ+” and linked to far-right nationalists and conspiracy theorists. “Million Person March” organizers and participants have rejected claims that their protest is against the LGBTQ community.
A statement published on the SSMU website ahead of the protest noted that “a nation-wide anti-2SLGBTQ+ protest called ‘1 Million March for Children’ is planned to take place in over 70 cities in so-called Canada. One such protest is planned to take place in Tiohtià:ke (colonially known as Montreal), just outside the Roddick Gates of McGill University at 9AM.”
The statement claims march sought “to eliminate any mention of LGBT people in Canadian school curriculum and policies.”
The students union believes the march came amid “rising anti-2SLGBTQ+ and especially anti-trans youth sentiment across so-called Canada” – citing the Conservative Party of Canada’s members voting to oppose irreversible, life altering gender transitions for children, as well as New Brunswick and Saskatchewan implementing new policies requiring parental consent for name and pronoun changes at school.
The SSMU endorsed a counter-protest organized by trans activists, and encouraged students to get involved in countering the parental rights rally.
“The SSMU strongly supports the work of queer and trans activists, including Queer McGill and their allies, in their counter protest efforts. We encourage students and local residents to attend the counter protest on Wednesday, September 20th at 8am in front of Roddick Gates!”
The union asked those attending to wear masks and follow other “safety protocols.”
“Bring signs, masks, and follow safety protocols. To those engaged in this struggle, we will continue to help you in any way you need.”
The SSMU were not the only ones in woke Canadian academia to denounce the march.
University of Victoria president and vice-chancellor Kevin Hall posted on X (formerly Twitter) that there is “no space for hate” in schools, and that his university supports British Columbia’s gender ideology curriculum.
“(U Vic) believes that everyone should have the freedom to live their lives authentically, Trans+ lives matter, there is no space for hate in schools or elsewhere. (U Vic) supports BC’s SO(G)I inclusive education,” wrote Hall.
Hall also signed a university statement calling the protest an abhorrent “hate-fuelled movement.”
“Hate-fuelled movements like these are abhorrent, misinformed and contradict the values of equity, diversity, inclusion and tolerance that are integral to the University of Victoria community. Schools and post-secondary institutions must be inclusive and safe spaces,” reads the statement.
The undergraduate program director of York University’s Faculty of Education also denounced the march as “hateful.”
In an email to faculty students, staff and faculty obtained by Quillette journalist Jonathan Kay, the director wrote “as a Faculty of Education, we commit ourselves to working in and outside of our classrooms to confront homophobia, transphobia, and all forms of hate. Every student and teacher – and queer, trans, and non-binary students and teachers in particular – deserve to teach and learn in spaces where they feel empowered, accepted, and valued.”
The director added that “while the demonstrations are over, the impact of the statements, images, and content we may have experienced personally and through social media and news stories might have lingering effects.”
The director committed to examining “how our Faculty’s programs contribute to social change that counteracts cis-hetero hegemony.”
The Students’ Society of McGill University did not return True North’s request for comment.
