By: Wilbur Turner, President of Advocacy Canada
In a world where the voices of hatred and intolerance are growing louder, our responsibility to protect and uplift our children is clearer than ever. A heart-wrenching example of this was recently shown by a Grade 5 student in Coquitlam, BC. When asked by CTV News why they were protesting during the organized 1 Million March for Children—a movement designed to oppose inclusive education policies like SOGI 123—the child simply responded, “To tell people that LGBTQ is bad.”
This statement, spoken by someone so young, is a stark reminder of why SOGI 123 is essential in K-12 schools across Canada. It exposes the dangerous indoctrination happening at home and within certain circles, teaching children to fear and despise diversity. We at Advocacy Canada stand behind SOGI 123 because it not only promotes inclusion, but it also actively combats the kind of harmful rhetoric this child has learned.
The Importance of SOGI 123 in Schools
SOGI 123, which stands for Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, provides educational resources and training to ensure that students of all gender identities and sexual orientations feel safe and respected in schools. It is an inclusive framework that addresses bullying, harassment, and isolation faced by 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, ensuring every student has the right to feel valued and accepted.
Some claim that SOGI 123 is unnecessary or harmful. But the exact opposite is true. The inclusion of SOGI 123 is an important step toward fostering empathy, understanding, and respect among all students. This framework equips educators with the tools to create classrooms where diversity is celebrated rather than condemned. It helps break the cycle of hate that starts at home and, as seen in the example from Coquitlam, filters down to our children.
Learned Hatred is Dangerous
The heartbreaking comment from the Grade 5 student illustrates a fundamental problem: hatred and intolerance are learned behaviors. These children aren’t born believing that being LGBTQIA+ is “bad” — they are being taught to believe it, often by people they trust. This is exactly what SOGI 123 aims to combat. It ensures that students, regardless of their background, are exposed to environments where they can learn acceptance, compassion, and open-mindedness, countering any harmful messages they might receive elsewhere.
When children are educated about different identities, cultures, and orientations, they become better equipped to live and thrive in a diverse world. By implementing SOGI 123, schools are taking a stand to dismantle prejudice before it takes root in impressionable young minds.
The Fight Against Discrimination is Far from Over
Despite the necessity of programs like SOGI 123, opposition persists. The recent organized effort to repeat last year’s anti-SOGI events across Canada—under the banner of the “1 Million March for Children”—drew minimal attendance, a testament to the growing understanding that inclusion benefits everyone. But even with low turnout, these movements are reminders that intolerance is still present in our communities, and the fight for inclusive education is far from over.
The fact that children are still being conditioned to hate proves that advocacy and education must continue relentlessly. If we fail to provide balanced, accurate, and respectful education on gender identity and sexual orientation, we allow fear and ignorance to fester. SOGI 123 is not just a program; it is a lifeline for students who might otherwise feel isolated, unsafe, or unwelcome in their schools.
SOGI 123: A Matter of Human Rights
At its core, the defense of SOGI 123 is a defense of basic human rights. No child should feel unsafe or unwelcome simply because of who they are or who they love. All students have the right to learn and grow in an environment free from bullying, discrimination, and hatred. SOGI 123 upholds these rights, ensuring that schools remain places of safety and support for every child, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Conclusion
As President of Advocacy Canada, I am proud to stand behind SOGI 123. Our children deserve better than a world filled with intolerance and prejudice. They deserve schools that reflect the values of respect, inclusion, and equality. As adults, we have the responsibility to ensure that the next generation learns to embrace diversity and to reject hatred in all its forms.
The incident in Coquitlam should serve as a wake-up call. If a Grade 5 student can openly say that “LGBTQ is bad,” then it’s clear that we need to do more to teach love, acceptance, and inclusion in our schools. That’s why Advocacy Canada will continue to support SOGI 123 and fight for the rights of all students to feel safe, included, and valued.
Let’s build a future where every child is free to be themselves, and where learned hatred has no place.
