Downtown Windsor was a colourful, noisy place Wednesday morning.
A large crowd, representing both sides of the issue of privacy and gender identity, gathered at Dieppe Gardens to participate in Windsor's version of the 1 Million March 4 Children, one of many demonstrations nationwide calling attention to granting parents the right to have a say in their child's education, particularly when it comes to LGBTQ+ issues.
While most were there to support parental rights, a large group of people waving flags supporting the LGBTQ+ community was also present, wanting an educational environment in which every child feels safe regardless of appearance, orientation, or gender identity.
Following a program of speeches given by parental rights activists, which included the locally-based Parents for Parents Rights, the crowd moved in an orderly fashion from Dieppe Gardens and down Ouellette Avenue, making the turn to Park Street West and ending at the Greater Essex County District School Board (GECDSB) headquarters.
Many in the crowd were children who took the day off of school to attend.
The GECDSB has been at the centre of a passionate debate over its two-year-old policy of allowing a student to submit a written request to change their pronouns in school records without the permission of a parent or guardian.
In June, the GECDSB reiterated that its policy is in line with the Ontario Human Rights Code, which protects all members of the school community from discrimination and harassment, and states that the student is entitled to privacy except in emergencies. Supporters have said these guidelines promote a safe and inclusive atmosphere in school.
Parental rights groups have indicated their mission is to promote full transparency between school boards and parents. They have insisted that policies like the GECDSB's do not protect children, regardless of a student's sexual orientation or gender identity. Groups have accused school boards of keeping secrets and that the boards have not adequately addressed the issue of bullying in general.
A new Angus Reid poll suggests that Canadians are in favour of school boards telling parents if a child wants to change pronoun use or gender identity in class. About 78 per cent of respondents were in favour with 14 per cent saying it should be kept confidential.
