Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media / Stitó:s Lá:lém Totí:lt Elementary / Middle School (pictured) had been scheduled to host a "Queer Adventures Storytime" event this weekend featuring author Stacey Chomiak, but the event has been canceled.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Speaking event

Speaking event involving ‘Queer Storytime Adventures’ cancelled at Chilliwack school due to potential protests

May 2, 2024 | 12:53 PM

CHILLIWACK — A “Queer Storytime Adventures” event in partnership with the United Way that was scheduled for this weekend at a Chilliwack school has been unexpectedly cancelled.

According to a social media post from the Hi Neighbour Sardis Community Initiative by United Way, organizers behind the planned speaking appearance by LGBTQ+ author Stacey Chomiak said they became aware last weekend that a group of protesters planned to demonstrate at the front of Stitó:s Lá:lém Totí:lt School property in opposition to the event, originally scheduled for Sunday, May 5 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

The event was being formally billed as “Embrace Your Rainbow – Queer Storytime Adventures for Kids and Families.”

“Following discussions with local representatives, including the RCMP, as well as United Way British Columbia leadership, it has been determined that the event cannot proceed as public safety cannot be ensured,” Hi Neighbour Sardis Community Initiative by United Way wrote on Facebook.

SD33 trustee Teri Westerby wrote on social media that the decision to cancel the event arose “not out of choice, but necessity, due to the unacceptable threats of violence towards our event.” Westerby did not elaborate on social media about what that meant or what specific threats of violence occurred.

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A Chilliwack RCMP spokesperson told Fraser Valley Today in an email Thursday morning she could not comment on the matter and could only confirm that police were aware of the speaking event.

Fraser Valley Today reached out to Shelley O’Brien, communications manager for the Chilliwack School District, seeking comment on the matter, but had not heard back by 12:45 p.m. Thursday (May 2). Shortly after 4:15 p.m., O’Brien later directed FVT to contact the group behind the event, which in this case is Hi Neighbour Sardis Community Initiative by United Way.

“While the Chilliwack School District offers community rental space at many of our school sites, non-school events such as this one are fully organized and managed by the client renting the facility,” O’Brien wrote in an email to Fraser Valley Today. “Please feel free to reach out directly to the community organization and/or the individual who posted on social media for further information.”

Westerby said on social media that he was disheartened by the cancellation.

“We are deeply sorry to all who looked forward to this day. Your support means everything, and we are committed to finding ways to bring us all together safely in the future,” Westerby said. “Today, let’s remind ourselves of the importance of standing together against hatred and affirming our values of inclusivity and respect.”

A counter-protest event was to have featured at least four protesters opposed to the speaking engagement by Chomiak, who describes herself as an artist who loves to draw, write and speak about anything to do with being a queer Christian.

Fraser Valley Today reached out to the Hi Neighbour United Way group at 5:02 p.m. Thursday seeking comment, and was referred to the United Way of B.C. for comment.