Trans and 2SLGBTQIA+ community call for support amid rise in hate

The Kelowna Pride Society and Advocacy Canada are calling on the broader community, elected officials, and policy makers to come together against what they describe as a wave of hatred.

The call comes ahead of the return later this month of a Drag Story Time event for children at the Kelowna Downtown Library, which resulted in steep controversy when last held in 2019. It led to some former library officials sent for sensitivity training after making derogatory comments.

Kelowna RCMP have said they will be in attendance when the event returns at month's end.

In a joint statement issued Thursday, both advocacy organizations said there had been increased mobilization by anti-trans and anti-2SLGBTQIA+ actors. Actions by groups in Kelowna and elsewhere in the province, Canada and U.S., in the last year, have affected the ability to carry out events safely and free from harassment and abuse.

“What we’re seeing is a new pattern where it’s not just a small number of let’s say, dedicated campaigners often from the religious right, that are showing up and protesting peacefully,” Dr. Claire House with Kelowna Pride told Kelowna10.

“What we’re seeing is online harassment, deaths threats, all kinds of extremist rhetoric trying to depict trans and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities as a danger to women, children, to Canadian society.”

The two organizations said B.C. and Canada are under significant attack regarding trans and 2SLGBTQIA+ rights and cited several recent incidents in Kelowna.

Among them: abuse over a loud speaker at the Kelowna Trans Pride March last spring, as well as the Bike Pride event; a protest against the Queer Youth Halloween Dance in October; and challenges to the Transgender Day of Remembrance in November. There was a protest against a drag event at DunnEnzies restaurant in December.

House said the trans and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities were suffering in silence.

“This is our moment to draw a line in the sand, hopefully, and encourage all of the people of Kelowna to come out and show some support,” she said.

Drag Story Time no danger to kids

Wilbur Turner runs Advocacy Canada in Kelowna, an organization whose aim is to unite and amplify queer voices and their allies in the community to effect positive change. He thinks the wave of intolerance is emanating from south of the border.

“The rise of this harmful rhetoric is strongly influenced by actors in the U.S. and organized efforts to silence the transgender community, in particular,” Turner told Kelowna10. “The attack has evolved into calling people in the community ‘groomers and predators’ … and we see that same extreme right wing sentiment coming into Canada."

He said events like like Drag Story Time have become "a lightning rod for this activism of the far right."

"These events are completely safe for kids … if they’ve never been to one it’s time they come peacefully and just sit, listen and learn," he added.

Drag Story Time is scheduled for Jan. 28.

“Our sense at Kelowna Pride Society is that Kelowna is basically an inclusive place where most people believe 2SLGBTQIA+ people should have a fair crack at life, most people are fair minded," House said. “I think this is a real opportunity to come together and show that.”

RCMP will be in attendance

Asked for comment, Kelowna RCMP said it respects the rights of citizens to protest as long as it is lawful, peaceful and safe .

“Officers with the Community Safety Unit will be in attendance,” it said in an email.

Kelowna10 requested comment from the City of Kelowna and received the following email response Jan.23:

The City of Kelowna believes in an inclusive and diverse community where everyone is safe. We will not tolerate hate, intimidation or violence for any reason including against trans and 2SLGBTQIA+ people.