LGBTQ policy protesters and counter-protesters rally outside London, Ont. school board office

More than 1,000 protesters and counter-protesters rallied outside a London school board office, voicing their opposition to and support for LGBTQ education policies in the classroom. 

Similar events took place across Canada Wednesday, with some parents and socially conservative groups protesting LGBTQ-inclusive education curriculum in the classroom and in extracurricular settings under the banner of parental rights.

Critics and researchers say the term "parental rights" is a misnomer because it doesn't address the concerns of LGBTQ parents or parents of LGBTQ children.

On Dundas Street outside of the Thames Valley District School Board, hundreds of parents rallied for and against gender-inclusive education as officials released a statement which said "We stand in unwavering solidarity with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community today and every day." 

You can read an overview of the curriculum on the province's website.

Some parents said they're worried about what their kids are learning in schools. 

"They're kids. We're not here to mention if they are boys or girls, let them be kids. Please leave our kids alone. We don't want this in their study routine," said parent Sandy Kaur, who has a five and eight-year-old in the school system. 

"The books they are teaching about what boys are doing with boys and girls are doing with girls, it's not a necessary part of education. Science is a part of education, not sexual procedures. You are confusing our kids." 

The school board statement said today is "a challenging and painful day for many, especially the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in Thames Valley and across the nation," noting that it does not support "the harmful rhetoric and threats of violence used by some demonstrators in today's protests."  

Yesterday three education union offices were vandalized in London, a move condemned by board officials and the province. 

Across the street from the protesters were those who support gender-inclusive education, holding signs saying "Protect trans kids" and "Trans lives matter." 

"It's important to provide space for everyone to be themselves. When you restrict people from being themselves, they resort to more dangerous activities and we should be providing people with the care and resources they need," said student Madison Gibbs. 

"It's not about indoctrination, it's about giving access where access is due. We're trying to advocate for the people who aren't being advocated for." 

A group of parental rights protesters marched along Highbury Avenue, holding signs such as "It takes a family to raise a child," "Let children be children," and "Leave God's children alone." 

One trans person, who gave his name as Neptune, said he came to the counter-protest to support queer peers. "It's sad to see the other side. It's complete misinformation, things they're told based on propaganda," he said. 

Mom Gisele Baribeau was there holding a sign that read "Leave our kids alone." She said "children belong to the parents." 

"It is our responsibility to raise our children. How are children are taught and what they're taught is up to us," she said. "The sex-education is way too much, way too early." 

The school board said the safety and well-being of all staff and students are a high priority and that the board has a "legal and moral responsibility to promote equity, inclusion and human rights" under the Ontario Human Rights Code.