A recently-erected billboard across the lake from Kelowna, in Westbank First Nation, has spurred a heated conversation about what is being taught in schools, which is exactly what the owner of the website behind the sign intended.

The sign features an angry 害羞草研究所渨oke activist害羞草研究所� teacher wearing a mask, standing in front of a pride flag.

害羞草研究所淲e are aware that it is provocative,害羞草研究所� said P.J., the owner, of 害羞草研究所榞etawake.ca害羞草研究所� who only agreed to speak under anonymity, claiming he fears severe harassment and bullying.

P.J. wants to make parents aware that what they call 害羞草研究所渆xtreme political ideologies害羞草研究所� like critical race theory, social justice, sexual orientation and gender identity are being taught in public schools in B.C.

Carrie Broughton, founder of , however, said that 害羞草研究所渨e害羞草研究所檙e not teaching about trans people anymore than we are teaching about cis heteronormative people.害羞草研究所�

She said that she has heard from numerous families about the harm that seeing the billboard is causing queer children.

Those wanting to have their voices heard are welcome to attend the regular Central Okanagan Parent Advisory Council Meetings. The council is an official way that parents can communicate with the Ministry of Education.

In an interview with Capital News, P.J. said that he has an issue with what he calls the 害羞草研究所渞adical left害羞草研究所� ideologies 害羞草研究所渂eing pushed on kids.害羞草研究所�

Carrie made it clear that any bullying is inappropriate and should immediately be dealt with by parents, teachers and principals. However, she said that 害羞草研究所淚 don害羞草研究所檛 see the harm,害羞草研究所� in having children be asked to call each other by gender-affirming pronouns.

P.J. said that concepts like homosexuality and gender orientation should be left for parents to discuss in their homes.

Carrie agrees that parents should discuss diverse gender identities and sexualities at home, but said that is also important for children to be exposed to diverse perspectives. She said that it is important to consume literature that both opens windows to diverse perspectives, and that reflects your own identity. She added that it is also important that schools provide these resources to students as for many years a narrow view of society is all that was represented in schools.

While P.J. is of the belief that some teachers are taking it upon themselves to teach students about the 害羞草研究所渨oke害羞草研究所� ideologies without making parents aware, so that families don害羞草研究所檛 have an opportunity to opt out.

害羞草研究所淚t is infuriating and frustrating害羞草研究所� The claims are delusional,害羞草研究所� said School Trustee for the Central Okanagan School Board, representing the Kelowna Electoral Area, Wayne Broughton about the billboard.

害羞草研究所淚f you want people to be more accepting of each other, you have to educate them,害羞草研究所� said Wayne. He said that teachers are governed by the curriculum but have the autonomy to teach lessons that they feel caters to their classes害羞草研究所� needs. While sexual orientation and gender identity education is not officially in the curriculum, giving students access to the resources is required.

He said that unfortunately, home isn害羞草研究所檛 always a safe space to discuss sexuality and gender identity for all children and that for some, school is the only place that they can learn about these things.

When anti-trans narrative is spread without another perspective, people who are more extreme feel more emboldened to act out against marginalized communities.

害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 concerned about where it害羞草研究所檚 going,害羞草研究所� said Wayne, adding that making people aware of diversity is for the better.

害羞草研究所淲hat matters is that children feel valued and respected,害羞草研究所� said Carrie.

The controversial sign is located in Westbank First Nations land but is on private property, which has then been leased to a signage company.

害羞草研究所淲FN is an inclusive community and encourages people to speak out when they see something they feel is wrong,害羞草研究所� said Westbank First Nations communications in an email.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 our understanding these signage companies do not censor content, however, as that is the responsibility of the Advertising Board of Canada.害羞草研究所�

The board reviews complaints made by the public and from there determines whether the ad has violated an advertising code. To learn more about the advertising code of Canada visit

The billboard is on property owned by signage company BCbillboards. The company has not responded to interview requests.

Jacqueline.Gelineau@kelownacapnews.com
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