Trans Rights Activists Welcome Artur Pawlowski to Victoria

Thirty trans rights activists rallied at the Oaklands Chapel in Victoria, where infamous Calgary preacher Artur Pawlowski was scheduled to speak, to denounce his extreme views on gender and sexuality issues, which have earned him top spots among hate speech rankings.

The event was actually held by We Unify, and its three guest speakers had been invited to discuss pandemic issues with a crowd of freedom fighters that were up way past bedtime. I normally would not waste my time attending such an event on either side…

… if not for Artur Pawlowski being on the roster. He’s been flagged for hate speech far and wide for the views he voiced as leader of Street Church, such as his opposition to a ban on conversion therapy for homosexuals and protesting a rainbow crosswalk, while his son is the leader of a group that organised a transphobic protest.

The counterprotest was organised by members of 1 Million Voices for Inclusion, a group of trans rights activists that formed in the aftermath of the hugely controversial 1 Million March for Children last year. While it had been dormant for a while, the group is now actively recruiting in anticipation of counterdemonstrations to be held in the near future.

Upon arrival, the initial reaction from those attending the talks was utter confusion, and predictably so. They had come to listen to a folk hero who held his ground against pandemic restrictions, and spent time in jail for defying a provincial health order that had later been found to have violated the Public Health Act. They had no idea why two dozen queer folks were yelling at them about the rights of transgender people while blaring Disney music with a loudspeaker.

There were lots of exchanges throughout the evening between the factions, most of them civil, even leading to multiple handshakes. It turns out the views of attendees on gender and sexuality issues were very broad. Some supported the protesters’ views, at least to a point, while other were open to discussion, professing their belief in free speech even for those they disagreed with. We were even offered coffee at some point as a gesture of good will.

Of course not all interactions went this smoothly. One in particular had extremely negative views on gender diversity, claiming it had zero basis in science and no place in schools, and attempted to drown the protesters’ chants with a small trumpet in a petulant fashion. Another spat on a demonstrator in lieu of speech. Yet another, while remaining civil, stood firmly behind Liberty Coalition Canada, a movement attempting to subvert government for the purpose of suppressing LGBTQ rights. And then there was a heckler who, while having no particular opinion on the topic, ended up clashing with the crowd over Palestine, and even displayed a Zionist flag.

Bystander reaction was very positive. Several neighbours actually joined our ranks, while others dropped by expressing warm support. We were even offered a box of chocolates for thanks. Others were curious and chatted with the demonstrators, who were glad to share their views with the public.

Artur Pawlowski did not show himself to the protesters. He was most likely ushered in and out of the chapel by the back entrance, and the demonstrators lacked the numbers to surround the building.