1 Million March 4 Children

[Mason26]

https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/cross-country-rallies-against-gender-ideology-in-schools-meet-with-counter-protests-1.6569373

 

I didn't realize it was this bad for us here in Canada, but I had a feeling it was only a matter of time before what was happening in the states made its way up here. I feel sick.

[VickySGV]

I just read another article where the Anti-Trans group found themselves badly outnumbered there by Trans Allies.   It is going to be touchy for a bit, but as was pointed out, things for the Gay and Lesbian community were pretty dark back in the 1980's and today they are much more mainline and thriving.

[Ivy]

As I keep saying, the US and Canada are not that much different.

[Mason26]

7 minutes ago, VickySGV said:

I just read another article where the Anti-Trans group found themselves badly outnumbered there by Trans Allies.   It is going to be touchy for a bit, but as was pointed out, things for the Gay and Lesbian community were pretty dark back in the 1980's and today they are much more mainline and thriving.

I guess it's one of those it's going to get worse before it gets better situations. It's hard to see the good when there's so much bad, but thank you for pointing that out.

[Mason26]

1 minute ago, Ivy said:

As I keep saying, the US and Canada are not that much different.

I agree. Seeing what's happening in the US can be like looking into the future for Canada. I feel like sometimes Canadians adopt the US's problems as our own even when they're not affecting us. Like how some Canadians are Trump supporters... I wonder if this march would've happened if this "save the children" talk wasn't happening down south.

[KathyLauren]

I was following the news yesterday of the marches in various Canadian cities.  The turnout seems to have been quite variable.  Apparently in Ottawa, the haters were in the majority.  But in many other places, they were outnumbered by counter-protesters.

 

It is sad to see how quickly Canadian conservatives have adopted the fascist tactics of their American counterparts.  It was inevitable that they would, but the collapse has happened faster than I expected.  The policies are sponsored by the same hate groups as in the US, and are being adopted by the political parties for the same reasons: they have basically run out of other viable ideas.

 

The solution, scary as it is, is visibility.  By having a visible presence at counter-demonstrations, and by being visible in day-to-day life, we will convince the average bystander that the protesters really are a lunatic fringe, and that the vast majority of trans folks are decent, honourable people.

[Ivy]

Erin has a positive take.

 

https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/anti-trans-canadian-march-outnumbered?utm_source=substack&publication_id=994764&post_id=137238136&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&utm_campaign=email-share&triggerShare=true&isFreemail=true&r=k5hac

[VickySGV]

@Ivy This is the article I referred to above.

[KathyLauren]

Apparently, a little town of less than 1000 population, down the valley from us, had a small-scale version of the same story yesterday.  Someone organized a local anti-trans march. 

 

A gay business owner in the area, whose business was vandalized last year in a hate-motivated attack that prompted an outpouring of support, organized a counter-demonstration.  The counter-demonstration attracted 140 people, considerably outnumbering the protesters.  (Details from Facebook.)

 

The news reports for the day are telling me that the rising hate is a problem, but that more people oppose it visibly and vocally than support it.

[Ivy]

I have been getting depressed over this stuff.

This is encouraging.   Thanks.

 

[Mason26]

3 hours ago, KathyLauren said:

I was following the news yesterday of the marches in various Canadian cities.  The turnout seems to have been quite variable.  Apparently in Ottawa, the haters were in the majority.  But in many other places, they were outnumbered by counter-protesters.

 

It is sad to see how quickly Canadian conservatives have adopted the fascist tactics of their American counterparts.  It was inevitable that they would, but the collapse has happened faster than I expected.  The policies are sponsored by the same hate groups as in the US, and are being adopted by the political parties for the same reasons: they have basically run out of other viable ideas.

 

The solution, scary as it is, is visibility.  By having a visible presence at counter-demonstrations, and by being visible in day-to-day life, we will convince the average bystander that the protesters really are a lunatic fringe, and that the vast majority of trans folks are decent, honourable people.

I wasn't even aware this was a thing until today. While going for a drive yesterday, my dad pointed out that school parking lots were pretty empty (I'm not even sure if they were, we were in a small town I've never visited before). I didn't know what he was talking about, and he said it was the 1 Million March for Children. I kind of suspected it was about trans people, but he does not have good views on us and I didn't feel like getting into it. So I only found out when I Googled it this morning. From the looks of it, it was a pretty even split between protestors and counter-protestors where I live.

 

That pisses me off, too. I've been expecting the anti-trans hate to get stronger (or at least more vocal) here for a while because of U.S. news, but not this soon or this quick.

 

Visibility is tough for me. I do what I can from my closet, and it's not much. I know you're right, though. Most of the people protesting probably don't even know a trans person (except for parents of "ROGD" kids, who I feel so bad for). We're just regular people.

[Mason26]

3 hours ago, Ivy said:

Erin has a positive take.

 

https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/anti-trans-canadian-march-outnumbered?utm_source=substack&publication_id=994764&post_id=137238136&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&utm_campaign=email-share&triggerShare=true&isFreemail=true&r=k5hac

Thanks for sharing this, it makes me feel a bit better. The commenters seem to be taking this as a positive.

[Mason26]

1 hour ago, KathyLauren said:

Apparently, a little town of less than 1000 population, down the valley from us, had a small-scale version of the same story yesterday.  Someone organized a local anti-trans march. 

 

A gay business owner in the area, whose business was vandalized last year in a hate-motivated attack that prompted an outpouring of support, organized a counter-demonstration.  The counter-demonstration attracted 140 people, considerably outnumbering the protesters.  (Details from Facebook.)

 

The news reports for the day are telling me that the rising hate is a problem, but that more people oppose it visibly and vocally than support it.

That's a nice story. It's especially good to hear of small towns supporting trans people, as they can sometimes be tougher areas for us.

[Ashley0616]

Things in Mississippi or at least down here near the Gulf of Mexico haven't been bad. The worst thing that has happened to me was in church. Someone said that I was the only person they could talk to about it. I asked what it was and at first she asked if I was a fan of drag shows? I said I'm ok with them and then asked have I been to one? I almost wanted to tell her there is a nicer way to confront trans people but I didn't. If that's the worst I get I'll take it. For June I did display an LGBTQ flag and all neighbors except one still interact with me.

[Ivy]

1 hour ago, Ashley0616 said:

I said I'm ok with them and then asked have I been to one? I almost wanted to tell her there is a nicer way to confront trans people but I didn't. If that's the worst I get I'll take it.

Personally I'm not a fan of "drag shows."  But it's only because it's not what I'm into.  If it floats your boat, fine.  I'm more of a kind of stay at home old lady - here, have a cookie.

 

A lot of these people can't understand that we're just people wanting to live our own lives in peace.

[Mason26]

3 hours ago, Ashley0616 said:

Things in Mississippi or at least down here near the Gulf of Mexico haven't been bad. The worst thing that has happened to me was in church. Someone said that I was the only person they could talk to about it. I asked what it was and at first she asked if I was a fan of drag shows? I said I'm ok with them and then asked have I been to one? I almost wanted to tell her there is a nicer way to confront trans people but I didn't. If that's the worst I get I'll take it. For June I did display an LGBTQ flag and all neighbors except one still interact with me.

That's good to hear. That sucks how that happened, it sounds pretty awkward. But yeah, I guess there are worse things. Good for you putting up a pride flag! I'd like to do that someday.

[awkward-yet-sweet]

Protests, counterprotests.  Rallies, parades.  Riots?  I get tired of it all.  I don't see any of it making any of the sides look good.  Peace and quiet is what looks good.  Being loud, carrying signs, holding up traffic...these things are just kind of obnoxious to everybody else in the area who just wants a normal day.  And any public demonstration is a magnet for the opposition to make a scene too.  A recipe for ill-feelings toward whichever group started it. 

[KathyLauren]

9 hours ago, awkward-yet-sweet said:

Being loud, carrying signs, holding up traffic...these things are just kind of obnoxious to everybody else in the area who just wants a normal day.

 

I definitely share your desire for peace and quiet.  I am not by nature a protester.  But if the bad guys protest unopposed, they become the only voice that is heard, and they colour the perceptions of the bystanders.  People hear the loudest voice as the voice of the majority, even when it isn't.

 

It is important, for preventing the coming oppression, that someone speak up in favour of sanity and decency, and the right of all of us to live our lives in peace.  If we don't defend our rights when they are under attack, we will lose them.  I don't believe in violence and would not participate in violent actions.  But I will, when I can, be visible and audible in asserting our right to exist in peace.

[Betty K]

19 hours ago, KathyLauren said:

The solution, scary as it is, is visibility.

 

Kathy Lauren, I totally agree. I think that everyday life is the most important bit. Just being visible day after day, interacting politely, showing everyone that we are normal people just wanting to live our best lives. I'm sure you do all these things already, and if so, then I think you are doing a fine job.

[Ivy]

25 minutes ago, KathyLauren said:

I definitely share your desire for peace and quiet.  I am not by nature a protester.  But if the bad guys protest unopposed, they become the only voice that is heard,

This.

I've always been very non-confrontational, still am.

There is a new Pride group here in town, just 1 year now.  They are planning an event on the court square next month.  I have mixed feelings, but will probably go.  I suppose it could go either way.  I haven't heard of any opposition yet, but I don't think it's been publicized a whole lot yet either.  This is a conservative area.  A lot of the time the Democrats don't even bother to run candidates.

 

I'm out publicly.  People see me out shopping, and at events uptown.  I interact with people who are friendly, or just curious.  It's obvious who and what I am.  But I don't make a point of it.  I'm afraid a Pride event would be perceived differently.  But as Kathy said, "If we don't defend our rights when they are under attack, we will lose them."

 

I had an equality sticker and trans flag sticker on my car.  I recently got a different car and am hesitant to replace them.  I have new ones in the drawer, just haven't stuck them on yet.  I suppose I should.  It's just that the way things have been lately it seems like putting a target on it.

 

I guess I'll go to the Pride thing… and put the stickers on.  Maybe it will be okay.

[Betty K]

I think there is a way to be non-confrontational and still protest. I think protests can be joyous and positive. I'm not so sure about counter-protests. There is an argument that counter-protests draw attention to the protests they are protesting. So if 100 people turn up to an anti-trans protest and 1000 trans people turn up to protest that only makes the anti-trans protest look more important. I'm not sure what to think about that.

[Mason26]

All great points of view here. I definitely see where you're coming from @awkward-yet-sweet. I'm not even out of the closet, it's hard to imagine me ever going to protests. Thinking about it makes me feel so tired. I just want to exist. What I do know is trans people need other trans people, whether you see them at protests, on TV, or in your neighborhood.