Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media / A Kelowna advocate is looking to cancel an upcoming political forum scheduled to happen later this month at Evergreen Hall, a municipal building owned by the City of Chilliwack. Wilbur Turner of Advocacy Canada LGBT wants the city to reconsider hosting an event entitled, "Open Public Forum: For the Sake of the Children" on Saturday, January 13.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Upcoming political event

Kelowna advocate looking to cancel upcoming political event at Evergreen Hall in Chilliwack

Jan 3, 2024 | 8:58 AM

CHILLIWACK — A Kelowna advocate is applying pressure upon elected officials in Chilliwack ahead of an upcoming forum scheduled to happen later this month at Evergreen Hall, a municipal building owned by the City of Chilliwack.

According to an email sent Tuesday night, January 2 to Chilliwack-area news media and to members of Chilliwack city council, Wilbur Turner of Advocacy Canada LGBT wants the city to reconsider hosting an event entitled, “Open Public Forum: For the Sake of the Children” on Saturday, January 13.

“While the organizers present this event as an information session on SOGI (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity), we feel compelled to bring to your attention the problematic nature of their agenda,” Turner wrote in his email Tuesday night. “Events like this, led by individuals lacking educational and medical backgrounds, do not contribute to informed discussions. Instead, they promote an agenda that can further endanger the lives of already vulnerable 2SLGBTQ youth. We strongly urge you to reconsider hosting this event at your venue, as it goes against the principles of fostering an inclusive and safe environment for all.”

Turner describes SOGI 123 as a set of optional learning resources meant to create supportive and inclusive classrooms for 2SLGBTQ students, with the goal of reducing bullying and promoting the well-being of all students. These resources were implemented in B.C. schools in 2015 to align with the B.C. Human Rights Code, to help facilitate an environment where everyone feels valued, safe, and represented, Turner said.

Turner, president of Advocacy Canada, says two similar events were canceled in Vernon and Armstrong out of concerns for public safety linked to organizer David Hamilton, who had to be reportedly escorted out of a panel discussion on SOGI in Vernon on December 1, 2023 after attendees were told they could only ask questions in a designated Q&A period.

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According to an event description provided by Turner, organizers David Hamilton and Tracee Mathee say the event is designed to hear from individuals from within the community who want to know more about SOGI.

“There is apparently a one-sided approach out there from people who are pro and people who are against it,” the Jan. 13 event description reads. “We as individuals are offering a night of questions. A place where all people can ask any questions they feel need to be answered. This is a place where we offer an opportunity where all individuals can sit and enquire what this is all about. This is not a debate, folks. We understand the need for open communication and have not seen or heard anywhere this is being offered. It is time to stop the nonsense and get back to discerning, loving human beings, who are capable of honest and open dialogue, without negativity. Look, we believe fully and firmly in research and learning so proper informed decision can be made.”

On the contrary, Turner believes the city of Chilliwack could be held liable for hosting the event.

“This is not a matter of free speech and allowing just any group to rent your facilities without discrimination. It is a matter of human rights. It could place you in a liability situation for contravening the BC Human Rights Code in creating an unsafe workplace for your employees and the community, as well as allowing defamatory statements to be made at this event against teachers, school administrators, and the 2SLGBTQ community,” Turner wrote in his email to Chilliwack city council members and Chilliwack news media.

The organizers behind the event wrote that they want to encourage dialogue by allowing people to speak freely.

“We will respect the rights of all individuals who attend and expect you to do the same,” the organizers wrote in a description provided by Turner. “If you come to cause disturbance or simply to be a jerk. Do not bother. No matter how important your question may seem. If it is delivered anyway in a negative fashion to disrupt, you will be removed. Otherwise, the floor is open to all. Let’s all work together and stop the hate and open up to respective learning.”