The Premier of B.C., the RCMP and city council害羞草研究所檚 Loyal Woolridge are concerned about the discriminatory and hateful behaviour that targeted a young girl who was competing at an elementary school track meet in Kelowna on June 8.

The incident garnered public attention after the girl害羞草研究所檚 mother posted on the Kelowna Alert Facebook.

She wrote that her daughter was mis gendered and accosted by a grandfather while competing in shot put.

The mother claims that the man yelled at her daughter, demanding to see a birth certificate and saying that if she was not a boy, then she was definitely trans and should be disqualified from the competition.

害羞草研究所淢y daughter is a girl, was born female, and uses she/ her pronouns. She has a pixie cut,害羞草研究所� said the mother.

Woolridge said that the public needs to start calling behaviour like this out since since it is traumatizing for children.

害羞草研究所淲e need to start recognizing this as hate speech害羞草研究所�This is not a difference of opinion.害羞草研究所�

Woolridge explained that having freedom of speech does not mean that a person has a right to spread hate speech.

He said that if a person witnesses bullying or discrimination, they have a responsibility to speak up, or call the police, particularly when it involves children.

Const. Mike Della-Paolera said that the Kelowna detachment has received 害羞草研究所渁 number of messages害羞草研究所� regarding the situation, and that an investigative file has been opened.

害羞草研究所淲e too share everyone害羞草研究所檚 grave concerns with discriminatory behaviour,害羞草研究所� said Della-Paolera.

Woolridge said that the hateful movement targeting the trans community is growing.

害羞草研究所淧eople are being oppressed on purpose.害羞草研究所�

The councillor said that the mounting hate against transgender people has led to this instance, where a cis-gendered child was discriminated against for their hair cut.

害羞草研究所淚t is important to our community to speak out against discriminatory behaviours, and research shows that social support is an important protective factor for those experiencing marginalization, racism, or discrimination. If our community takes action together, this will assist us in the ultimate goal of a diverse, inclusive and safe community for all. Your willingness to take an active role demonstrates your care and responsibility. We understand that this incident, and the ongoing discussion on social media can be difficult,害羞草研究所� said Della-Paolera.

Premier David Eby said 害羞草研究所渓et害羞草研究所檚 keep calling out transphobia when we see it,害羞草研究所� in a tweet about the incident.

He said that hate hurts everyone and 害羞草研究所� is not acceptable or welcome in British Columbia.害羞草研究所�

This is awful. This kind of hate is not acceptable or welcome in British Columbia.

Let's keep calling out transphobia when we see it. Hate hurts everyone. And let's stand with this girl and everyone who is targeted just for being themselves.

害羞草研究所� David Eby (@Dave_Eby)

Woolridge said that the school district is working diligently to address the situation.

Additionally, he said that city council害羞草研究所檚 new safety plan addresses the need to create safe spaces for marginalized, gender diverse, queer and non-white people.

害羞草研究所淚f we don害羞草研究所檛 create safe spaces, it causes trauma and harm for youth in their formative years.害羞草研究所�

Kelowna Mayor Tom Dyas chimed in on the afternoon of June 13, calling the incident 害羞草研究所渉eartbreaking害羞草研究所�.

害羞草研究所� City of Kelowna (@cityofkelowna)

Kevin Kaardal, Central Okanagan Public Schools superintendent/CEO, said the incident is under an internal school district investigation, wth those involved facing being banned from all future school events.

Kaardal said the incident 害羞草研究所渁s reported to us害羞草研究所� saw a person or persons make inappropriate comments during the Grade 4 shot put event, and were aggressive and belligerent to school staff, ultimately disrupting the track meet.

害羞草研究所淭his is just unacceptable害羞草研究所�adults need to govern their behaviour害羞草研究所�we expect our students to behave with civility to one another and adults should be no different,害羞草研究所� he said.

Kaardal said parents should not even make such damaging comments to other adults while within earshot of any youth.

害羞草研究所淪taff at the event responded and intervened at the time, eventually moving the event across the field,害羞草研究所� Kaardal said.

害羞草研究所淭he entire school community that surrounds the student has shown tremendous allyship and concern for their wellbeing following the incident and will continue to check in and ensure supports are available to anyone affected by the incident.害羞草研究所�