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TORONTO, March 23, 2012 (LifeSiteNews.com) – A protest rally against Bill 13, the McGuinty government’s controversial gay-focused anti-bullying legislation, will be held Thursday March 29, 2012 from 2:00pm to 3:30pm at Queens Park, Toronto.

“We have organized this rally against Bill 13 because the proposed legislation will destroy parent’s rights to guide the moral education of their own kids. It will also undermine religious freedom by forcing upon people of faith, ideas that run counter to what we teach our kids at home,” said Kim Galvao, head of Concerned Catholic Parents of Ontario (CCPO).

The controversial bill aims to impose tougher consequences, including expulsion, for “bullying and hate-motivated actions.” Though it treats bullying in general, the government has laid a clear emphasis on homosexuality-related bullying. Perhaps the most controversial aspect is that it would require all of Ontario’s Catholic and public schools to set up gay-straight alliances or similar clubs.

Premier Dalton McGuinty has said he aims to reform the province’s “attitudes” on homosexuality, a process he says “should begin in the home.”

Galvao’s organization points out that while people of all faiths oppose bullying of any kind, the McGuinty government is intent on teaching human sexuality according to its own values, in opposition to the values of many of the parents they represent.

“I don’t want my children to be taught that there are 7 different genders,” said Galvao. “I don’t want my children taught that gender is unrelated to a person’s physical anatomy. I think a majority of parents agree with me.”

“It is time to stand up,” she said. “The biggest thing is to realize that we are not alone, that there are thousands of ordinary parents just like us out there who feel the same way.”

Galvao decries the rejection of input from parents and religious organizations by the McGuinty government.

“We have called our MPP’s. We have written our letters, and still we are ignored. The time to be heard is now. We cannot wait for others to speak up. Those who we thought would protect our rights have only given us silence, nodded their heads, and even patted us on the head,” she said.

The CCPO denounces the McGuinty government’s rejection of the Ontario Catholic Bishops’ position (Respecting Differences) as well as the moral teaching of other faith communities.

“Parents should come to this rally as it is the only time that our voices will be clearly heard,” Galvao said. “We cannot let the silent majority be silent. We need to have courage.  Who loves their children more than a parent?  We are doing this because we love our children. It is our vocation to protect them.”

Jack Fonseca of Campaign Life Coalition said that CLC has learned of an attempt by the McGuinty government to rush the bill through the legislature.

“CLC has learned that McGuinty is sneaking the 2nd hour of second reading debate onto the floor Monday afternoon, March 26,” Fonseca told LifeSiteNews.

“It could well be that it’s a reaction to the rally planned for Thursday, and he is trying to move the bill ahead before public resistance builds dramatically,” he said.

Find the flyer to promote the rally here.

Two Facebook pages have been set up:

The official Stop Bill 13 Facebook fan page is available here.
The official Stop Bill 13 Facebook Event page is available here.

Find contact info for Members of Provincial Parliament.