Lawyers against Transphobia is pleased to announce that the corporate office of Cineplex has decided to cancel the private booking of its theatre in Vernon. The theatre had been rented by “FreedomNetwork” to show a transphobic film, “The War on Children” on June 15.
The film argues that transgender children are ‘harmed’ by medical care for their gender dysphoria, even though the care is provided according to well-established guidelines of medical practice.
Said Kylie Walman, a member of Lawyers against Transphobia and a well-known Vernon lawyer, “We pointed out to Cineplex their legal obligations as a theatre owner. And we pointed out that to permit the film to run would be contrary to the values of inclusion that Cineplex supports, and would be particularly bad press for Cineplex in Pride Month.”
Cineplex agreed today that they would cancel the screening “out of respect for Pride month”.
According to its website, FreedomNetwork is planning to screen “The War on Children” in several other B.C. communities. Walman said that Lawyers against Transphobia will be writing to each of those theatres to explain their legal obligations under the Human Rights Code with respect to a showing of a film that harms a marginalized community. “We would expect those theatres to follow Cineplex’s lead,” said Walman. “Otherwise of course we would follow up with legal action.”
For more information: Kylie Walman 250-309-1977 kylie.walman@nixonwenger.com