A parents group that took root in 91原创 this fall to promote inclusion and acceptance in schools has gone provincial.
91原创 Parents for Inclusivity has been renamed to BC Parents for Inclusivity (BCPI) and part of its efforts include a rally tomorrow (Tuesday, Nov. 21) in neighbouring Abbotsford.
It鈥檚 intended to be a 鈥減eaceful demonstration to counter anti-SOGI 123 rhetoric,鈥� said group founder Stacey Wakelin.
The event is being organized for families and community members throughout the Fraser Valley, Wakelin said, but it will specifically be held prior to the Abbotsford school board meeting where SOGI 123 is expected to be discussed.
SOGI (sexual orientation and Gender Identity) 123 is the provincially mandated anti-bullying curriculum that supports marginalized LGBTQ+ students, Wakelin said.
鈥淚t does not sexualize or indoctrinate children. It is a toolkit for educators to create an inclusive environment where every child feels accepted, respected, and safe (www.sogieducation.org),鈥� she added.
鈥淧arents from across the Fraser Valley are invited to stand together in Abbotsford to show that families of the Lower Mainland are accepting, inclusive, and progressive,鈥� Wakelin added.
鈥淭his event is a call to action for everyone who supports the health and safety of all children in the community.鈥�
91原创 Parents for Inclusivity was organized in September, in response to negative reactions here from the community to SOGI 123.
Wakelin explains that BCPI consists of parents and community members who stand together to promote inclusive education, and to voice their support for LGBTQ+ youth, and all children who face intolerance or discrimination.
Previous activities include a rally prior to the 91原创 school board鈥檚 September meeting, a presentation at that board meeting, and a SOGI 123 information session in October.
Tuesday鈥檚 Fraser Valley will rally from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Colleen and Gordie Howe Middle School, 3174 Clearbrook Rd. in Abbotsford. The school board meeting follows at 7 p.m.
鈥淚t鈥檚 time the majority stood up and said these fringe groups don鈥檛 speak for all 91原创 parents. They seem bigger than they are because they scream louder. If we were all a little more vocal in our support, we could drown out this nonsense pretty quickly,鈥� 91原创鈥檚 Geraldine McManus said back in September.
There is an anti-SOGI parents鈥� information meeting the same day ( Nov. 21) in Chilliwack. It will also show support for school board trustee Barry Newman, who posted his opposition to SOGI online.
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