Heroes come in all sizes.

If that basic truth didn鈥檛 register before, it should this week after nine-year-old Michael Boyd 鈥� a third-grader at Surrey鈥檚 Walnut Road Elementary 鈥� at the scene of in Vancouver Monday to offer himself up as a veritable poster child for the pro-SOGI 123 movement.

Of course, it shouldn鈥檛 really matter what side of the argument you fall on to see strength of character in Michael鈥檚 actions. Regardless of whether you are for or against the pilot project that aims to create inclusive classrooms for students of all sexual orientations and gender identities, you can applaud a child for being willing to reveal a most personal side of his own identity to fight for an issue that affects him and others personally.

Public opponents of the provincial SOGI (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity) education program certainly show their strength of character in their own ways, allowing themselves to be labelled intolerant, homophobic and arguably worse by those who can鈥檛 comprehend what drives them to speak out on an issue that appears not to affect their own lifestyles. Indeed, one can only assume that they, too, are doing what they know to be right.

However, while proclaiming one鈥檚 opinion on an issue may get it heard, getting it understood can be an entirely different matter.

In Michael鈥檚 case, his point is clear. He wants to be able to live his life as he sees himself in a safe, comfortable, welcoming environment 鈥� and he wants others to be able to do so, too.

The reason SOGI opponents protest is not as clear. They seem to believe that because society has in the past promoted and accepted two genders, that鈥檚 all there should be, now and forever more. If there鈥檚 more to their argument, handmade signs that spout such slogans as 鈥淕od created man & woman鈥� and 鈥淪top child abuse by the Ministry of Education鈥� don鈥檛 really make it understood, while printed signs like 鈥淧arents have rights鈥� and 鈥淒on鈥檛 mess with our children鈥� could certainly be proclaimed by all sides.

If the motivation of anti-SOGI protesters is merely faith-driven, it limits the number of people they will convince. If it is based on more than that, they owe it to those whom they publicly criticize to explain their objections.

While marching publicly and holding up signs may be considered brave, only those who do so with pure heart should be considered heroes.

鈥� Peace Arch News