Image credit: Mel Rothenburger

By Mel Rothenburger

ARMCHAIR MAYOR

ROTHENBURGER: Disruptive anti-Pride protesters should be ashamed of themselves

Aug 30, 2023 | 5:09 AM

WE SEEM TO HAVE LOST the art of respectful protest.

The incident at the North Kamloops Library last weekend is a good example. You may have seen the police report that there was an anti-Pride protest at the library.

As part of Pride Week celebrations, a Drag Storytime was held at the library for children.

There are still people out there who believe homosexuality and its related shades are an unnatural affront to God.

They have a right to think that no matter how wrong they are. They have a right to protest, though right-thinking people may be finding such protests objectionable.

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But when a protest turns nasty, its legitimacy is cancelled. In this case, the placard-carrying protesters decided it was acceptable to yell at those entering the event.

There was also a report of an assault involving one of the signs. And while RCMP were present, a protester entered the story-time room and began filming the event. When asked to leave, the person refused, and was arrested for trespassing and mischief.

Doing such an obnoxious thing while police were there almost makes you think the intention was to gain attention.

It was a sad exception to an otherwise very positive Pride Week celebration. It’s become an inclusive feel-good community event, especially the annual parade downtown. A few people used to worry about that, as well, but Kamloops is now a welcoming place for 2SLGBTQIA+.

Storytime is a regular program at the library; this one was just a little different. The growing drag queen entertainment movement seems to be particularly bothersome for some people.

What a shame it is that over-zealous protesters decided to take things a step too far. They should be ashamed of themselves.

Although they remind us that we still have some distance to go in removing this particular form of intolerance, we can take consolation in knowing the bigots are only a small segment of our community.

I’m Mel Rothenburger, the Armchair Mayor.

Mel Rothenburger is a regular contributor to CFJC Today, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a recipient of the Jack Webster Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award. He has served as mayor of Kamloops, school board chair and TNRD director, and is a retired daily newspaper editor. He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.