BOWLING GREEN – Marit Stiles, the Leader of the Official Opposition NDP, issued the following statement as demonstrations—and counter-rallies in support of 2SLGBTQI+ people—are organized across Ontario for tomorrow morning:

“Transgender youth are five times more likely than their peers to think about suicide, and nearly eight times more likely to attempt it. They deserve to be supported and they have a right to learn in safe and supportive schools without fear of being outed or targeted for who they are.

It has been deeply disturbing to see the recent rise in anti-2SLGBTQI+ rhetoric directed at our school communities, and to see this organized campaign get a foothold among Conservative provincial governments across the country.

As a mother, a legislator and the Leader of the Official Opposition, I won’t stand by while Ontario follows this dangerous path.

I’m calling on Doug Ford to commit today to ensuring Ontario’s schools remain safe and welcoming for 2SLGBTQI+ students and to stop trying to drive a wedge between kids, families and their schools.

To all those who would target vulnerable kids for political gain: Leave kids alone.”