BC Conservative Party leader John Rustad is standing by his controversial social media post that appeared to compare the SOGI school curriculum with the tragedy of Indigenous residential schools. Janet Brown reports.is taking heat from both Indigenous communities and LGBTQ2 activists for a social media post critics say compares the province’s
Some groups have used the banner of parental rights to argue for a ban on teaching sexual orientation and gender identity in B.C. schools. However, even the spectre of comparing the educational tool to the systematic removal of Indigenous children from their homes, communities and culture does not sit well with Indigenous leaders like Squamish Nation councillor Wilson Williams .
“From an Indigenous perspective, when we have members who are vulnerable and are part of the LGBTQ+ community, it’s very, very hurtful. We’re in a time and place today where we want to protect our people, but at the same time, empower them for who they are.”When asked about Williams’ response, Rustad said, “There’s going to be lots of people who are gonna say lots of things. And that’s fine. That’s what free speech is about.
John Rustad’s attempt to liken the cultural genocide of Indigenous people with arrests of LGBT people – as a means of justifying his political dog whistling – is incredibly insulting to Indigenous people & to members of the LGBT community. 2/2B.C. New Democrat MLA Ravi Parmar also took to social media to call Rustad’s post “a disgraceful comparison” and an attempt to “co-opt this day to spread fear and attack the rights of queer kids.”Today is about reflecting on truth and reconciliation.