A peaceful gathering was held at Bowen Island Community School on Sunday in support of Bowen’s LGBTQ2S+ community.
The event was organized in the wake of nation-wide protests held on Sept. 20, dubbed ‘Million March 4 Children’, by participants opposing the teaching of sexual orientation and gender identity (known in B.C. as SOGI curriculum) in schools. The protestors were met by counter-protestors in many towns and cities.
There was no anti-SOGI march on Bowen Island last week, but one of the organizers of Sunday’s event, Patricia Salib, said it’s still important to speak up and show up when widescale efforts are made “to potentially remove rights of 2SLGBTQI+ youth that could put them at harm. We’re here in support of making sure all youth have the ability to be safe and to learn in safe spaces,” said Salib during the gathering.
Salib added that regardless of whether there was a local march or not, it can be difficult to see these displays, which took place as close as Vancouver. “What hasn’t been talked about and hasn’t been acknowledged is the impact on community members watching these protests take place across the country… It’s wonderful to acknowledge what is actually happening, why we’re here, how we can continue to create safe and positive spaces that show love and acknowledge the hurt and the re-traumatization that’s been happening.”
The Sunday morning protest was put together on short notice in reaction to the Sept. 20 marches, but still managed to draw dozens of participants to BICS. Organizers included Renée Turner, Michelle Harrison, Fauve MacKenzie, Sheryl McKercy, Boris Nikic, and Salib. Tell Your Friends Café provided coffee and pastries, while volunteers brought artwork and materials for friendship bracelets. The gathering also accepted donations for Qmunity, a Vancouver-based community centre supporting queer, trans, and two-spirited community members. In total $732 was raised in just two hours.
Salib says it’s encouraging to see so many people rally behind the cause. “Your presence makes all the difference. You being here matters, you showing up matters. There are people walking by or on-island or members of the community that can feel the love and support. Let’s continue to create more of this, take up more space, and keep showing up,” she told the crowd.
