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Surrey Councilor Laurie Guerra expresses her reaction to an intense reaction at a meeting she recently attended that would have been opposed to the SOGI 123 resource.
Guerra resigned from his position as director of AutismBC despite growing pressure to do so, but said at the Now leader she "was going to do it anyway" and did not resign "because someone intimidated me."
It was not a paid position, according to AutismBC, and his resignation took effect on November 12.
Guerra was at the meeting last week with his colleague Steven Pettigrew, a councilor from Surrey, who has not yet responded to the Now leaders requests for comments.
She insists that reports in the media that the meeting was "secret" and anti-SOGI would be false.
"There has never been a secret anti-SOGI event," she told the Now leader Tuesday afternoon.
She said she understood that the meeting was a party for the faith politicians who ran for the civic elections. She said that it was a private and paid event at the John Volken Academy, titled "Freedom of Faith in Politics".
Did Guerra know that SOGI would be present at the meeting?
"Absolutely not," she replied. "But I'm not a fool, I know a lot of people are not in favor of the SOGI resource 123. But never, never, no one has been promoted, it has nothing to do with it. I would be very honest if that was the case. I have nothing to hide. "
According to sogieducation.org, the SOGI resource "aims to make schools inclusive and safe for students of all gender orientations and identities" and "equips educators of all backgrounds and experiences with tools and resources to support students LGBT marginalized and for and more inclusive school environments for all students. "
Guerra told Now leader she is not anti-SOGI, but is against the resource in British Columbia.
"I'm not anti-nothing, no. You can not be anti-badual orientation and gender identity. It's not that I'm against that. I am not in favor of the resource SOGI 123. That's my position … Many people are of the same opinion as me. I do not apologize. I never have. "
Guerra is said to "favor parent participation in an education system when their children are involved" and to "evidence-based practice and science-based education."
But while Guerra says that she thinks the goal of the SOGI 123 resource is "a good thing," she says that questions about badual orientation are asked too early to children and that the resource is "not appropriate".
"I do not think anyone should be bullied," she said.
The problem, according to Guerra, is that the teachings must be "objective, not subjective".
"This is not based on facts, there is no evidence behind that, no evidence, that the genre is not binary," Guerra said. "There is no evidence behind that. Let's see the proof, is not it what the scene is? I am in science, I have studied a lot of science, even with the treatment of autism. It must be based on evidence. "
The news of Guerra's resignation comes after the launch of a petition calling on the new Surrey advisor to resign from AutismBC. Tuesday morning, more than 1,300 people had signed it.
Vancouver resident Mirella Russell started the petition and said Guerra's resignation was a "small victory", but she added, "I'm not talking about victory, really."
"AutismBC, in their release informing us of his resignation, said that everything was based on unfounded information. Am I 100% satisfied with the response of AutismBC? No, but I'm happy with the result, "explained Russell.
But Russell said that Guerra's resignation "sends a strong message to the public" and "to people in positions of power."
"I am the mother of an autistic boy, and since birth I have fought for his inclusion," Russell said. Now leader Tuesday morning. "When I define inclusion, it means inclusion for all."
Russell stated that Guerra had "been very quiet about his position" and "never spoke out and spoke publicly about what inclusivity means to her".
Russell noted that SOGI is not a program, but a "resource" and "educational tool that teachers and parents have access to teach children kindness".
"When you oppose SOGI, you oppose inclusivity," Russell said. "I think nothing she could say would have improved the situation, but it would be great to hear her talk about her position."
A Langley franc father, who has a transgender teenager, also called for Guerra's resignation from AutismBC.
"Inclusiveness is inclusiveness," said Brad Dirks, adding that Guerra's presence at the recent meeting was "extremely worrying" for him.
"Nobody says she can not have her beliefs and opinions about LGBTQ + students and families. But when you take on such an important role as director of AutismBC, you worry a lot. I'm glad she made the right decision by retiring, "said Dirks.
Guerra said it was "ridiculous" that people say her position means she is not inclusive.
"I think everyone who knows me knows my position. I have an autistic child. The last thing I will do is not to include people. Many people even post on my social media now, who defend me, who are transgender, who are gay men and who post on my own social media to support me, "she said. "I am the least critical person you can meet. That's not what I am.
The reaction against Guerra was quick and she said it was the same for AutismBC.
"This organization has done so much for so many people, and criticizing them and putting them in such a horrible position makes me crawl into the skin," she later said during the interview, adding that She had received messages so "disgusting" that she had thought about it. involving the police.
"The groups that are supposed to be anti-bullying should not be the ones who push the bullying," she said. "If anyone was watching my social media these past few days and saw the filthy and disgusting comments people make about me and that my mom can see, and that my dad can see, and that my kids can see you would never do it. always expect it to come from anti-bullying groups. So shame on them to do these things.
She added, "I know, I got into politics, I understand. I know you will be judged. I feel like judging, tarring and flagging myself before I say a word.
What feeling does it make to be described by some internet users as a bigot or homophobe?
"Stick and pebbles," she said. "People know who I am, I know who I am, I have no problem defending myself. I feel bad for a non-profit organization. It's very difficult to protect my families and those I love. I see the looks on their faces. "
Guerra also announced that she would not resign from her seat on the city council and that she would focus on "the work of the city", for which she "was elected".
In the campaign leading up to the October 20 municipal election, Culture Guard, a group opposing SOGI 123 in schools, approved eight Surrey candidates, including Guerra and Pettigrew.
At the time, the Now leader asked the Safe Surrey Coalition team to comment on these mentions.
The party responded by e-mail that "Slate candidates have endorsements from across the political spectrum".
"We have no control over the endorsements," reads the statement. "They (candidates) focus on municipal issues because that's why candidates run for office."
Why did not the public hear about Guerra's position then? She said to the Now leader On Tuesday she was "very busy" and "if I had the chance to answer, I would have been very honest and open."
AutismBC chairman Gary Robins announced the resignation of Guerra in a statement on November 13.
"In recent days, our members, other members of the autism community, and social media have expressed concerns and negative views about AutismBC," Robins writes in his release. "Although the basis of these problems is unfounded, we are deeply concerned about the excessive stress this situation has caused. Our past president, Laurie Guerra, resigned from her position as AutismBC director effective November 12th.
"Our guide is to be a leader in the autism community, providing education, training, information and support to families," added Robins.
"We want to make sure that our strong commitment to the inclusion of all people is clear. We want to preserve the trust of the community and we will strengthen our effort of transparency and accountability to all members of the community. As President of AutismBC, I encourage all members of our community to continue to participate in our activities and to learn more about the important work we are doing throughout British Columbia. "
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