Calgary police arrest two in protests on International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia

Calgary police arrested two people as groups clashed outside Western Canada High School, where dozens gathered to mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia Wednesday.

Officers say around 80 people were at the school when a fight broke out between the two groups of supporters and those opposed to the day.

Young people hold signs during a counter-protest outside Calgary’s Western Canada High School on Wednesday, May 27, 2023, the International Day for Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia. A right-wing media personality chose the city as the location for an event he called an “International Walkout Protest” campaigning against transgender rights in schools. (Nick Blakeney, CityNews image.)

Earlier this week, right-wing figure Josh Alexander began posting to Twitter his plans for what he called an “International Walkout Protest” also on May 17, in opposition to transgender rights.

After posting a poll asking his followers where he should host the “walkout,” it was decided he would demonstrate at the 17 Avenue SW high school.

A memo posted to the Liberty Coalition Canada website, a group with which Alexander has been affiliated, says that “Josh and fellow protesters are demanding that all schools ban biological males using female restrooms and change rooms.”

Young people hold signs and a flag during a counter-protest outside Calgary’s Western Canada High School on Wednesday, May 27, 2023, the International Day for Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia. A right-wing media personality chose the city as the location for an event he called an “International Walkout Protest” campaigning against transgender rights in schools. (Nick Blakeney, CityNews image.)

Young people showed up outside the school Wednesday to counter Alexander and his rhetoric, holding signs that said ‘Who taught you to hate this much?,’ ‘Protect Trans Youth,’ and ‘Acceptance saves lives, hate ends lives. Protect LGBTQ+.’

Young people hold signs during a counter-protest outside Calgary’s Western Canada High School on Wednesday, May 27, 2023, the International Day for Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia. A right-wing media personality chose the city as the location for an event he called an “International Walkout Protest” campaigning against transgender rights in schools. (Nick Blakeney, CityNews image.)

Calgary Police Service members stood between those advocating for trans rights and those accompanying Alexander, and were forced to increase the distance between the opposing sides as the fight broke out.

Investigators add the two people taken into custody were later released without any charges.

“The Calgary Police Service recognizes the Charter rights of everyone to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly,” police said in a statement. “We police behaviour, not beliefs.”

Police reported no other incidents, saying the rallies ended around 1 p.m.

-With files from Mark Strashok