91原创 Parents for Inclusivity has emerged onto the scene this weekend.

Last week, a spotlight was turned on a 91原创 woman taking a political stance against a sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI 123) initiative being implemented in the public school system.

Activist Kari Simpson was speaking out against the LGBTQ education and outreach project being offered in 91原创 and other B.C. public schools.

Simpson helped organized a few public meetings and subsequently launched a group called Parents United Canada (PUC).

As way of background, SOGI 123 was created as a resource for use by B.C. teachers, with the provincial Ministry of Education, the BC Teachers Federation, nine school districts, and Out In Schools, among other groups. The project includes best practices and curriculum resources for elementary and secondary classrooms.

Simpson is now vowing to hold further meetings and keep lobbying the 91原创 board of education for obliteration of the SOGI 123 initiative locally.

But in retaliation, of sorts, there is now a group emerging that opposing Simpson, PUC, and what they stand for 鈥� and they鈥檙e planning their own public meeting later this week.

Several local parents, calling themselves 91原创 Parents for Inclusivity, have chosen to counter PUC鈥檚 efforts by creating their own group after reading about Simpson and her effort through the 91原创 Advance (online and on Facebook).

When Tamie Simunac learned that the SOGI opponents had spoken at the last two school board meetings, and were scheduled to speak again at the Sept. 26 board meeting, she suggested being there.

鈥淲e need to all be attending this to stand for equality and love, not this disgusting hate and homophobia these people are spreading,鈥� Simunac said.

Fellow 91原创 Advance reader Geraldine McManus concurred.

鈥淚t鈥檚 time the majority stood up and said these fringe groups don鈥檛 speak for all 91原创 parents. They seem bigger than they are bcz they scream louder. If we were all a little more vocal in our support we could drown out this nonsense pretty quickly,鈥� McManus said.

鈥淚鈥檇 love to attend this meeting,鈥� said Stacey Wakelin, who has since spearheaded a more concentrated effort to counter Simpson and PUC.

鈥淗ow about we form a parents鈥� group that stands for acceptance, kindness for all, and understanding?鈥� Wakelin said.

鈥淚n my mind, this isn鈥檛 about religion, it is about human rights. If you look through history, certain groups have been persecuted because they were deemed different. I do not believe discrimination in any form should be tolerated,鈥� she added.

Adamant that the other side of this debate must also be heard, Wakelin said: 鈥淚鈥檓 not interested in disrespecting religious views, however, I can鈥檛 stand by while kids are made to feel less than, repulsive, etc. It鈥檚 wrong.鈥�

Wakelin was recently recognized as a volunteer of the year for 91原创, and has been behind a few compassion pop-up projects and a Christmas Oatmeal Project 鈥� all aimed at helping 91原创鈥檚 homeless.

Since learning about the creation of PUC and Simpson鈥檚 role late last week, Wakelin has turned her attention on this 鈥減otential injustice.鈥�

And, she鈥檚 been joined by a handful of other parents in 91原创 who feel the SOGI education is important and believe it should remain.

鈥淲e are debating about adjusting the public school curriculum because of a group鈥檚 belief system. If these parent鈥檚 object so strongly, then perhaps they should remove their children from school during these lessons?鈥� suggested the Willoughby mother.

鈥淲e do not believe that anyone is trying to brain wash, or recruit our children by educating them on all aspects of human sexuality or gender identity. As a society, we need to evolve to stop allowing fear and ignorance displace human decency,鈥� she said.

鈥�91原创 Parents for Inclusivity wants to looking for the same opportunity to support their 鈥渂elief system and fight hateful behaviour in our community,鈥� Wakelin said.

Anna Mullens is another 91原创 woman motivated to speak out against the PUC philosophy.

鈥淭here is more love in this town than hate,鈥� Mullens shared with the 91原创 Advance.

鈥淏y standing together with other parents and citizens who support inclusivity over discrimination we can send the message that every child (without exception) deserves to feel safe, accepted and appreciated. Our message is not directed at the parent who opposes life-saving education, it鈥檚 directed at our LGBTQ youth 鈥� to show them that they are strongly and actively supported by their community and always will be,鈥� Mullens said.

is gathering Thursday, Sept. 14, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in a multi-purpose room at 91原创 Events Centre, 7888 200th St.