Kelowna乌鸦传媒檚 #NotADragQueen

In September 2023, an anti-SOGI rally took place in Kelowna, one of many across the country under the banner of the 乌鸦传媒�1 Million March for Children.乌鸦传媒� These demonstrations claimed to be about parental rights, but the target was clear: queer kids, queer parents, and the educators and allies who support them.

In Kelowna, the protest swelled to roughly 500 people, and a local pastor led the crowd in a chant: 乌鸦传媒淕roomers go home!乌鸦传媒� The chant was directed squarely at the counter-protesters 乌鸦传媒� many of whom were members or supporters of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. I was there. I remember the chill that ran down my spine. I won乌鸦传媒檛 forget it.

The pastor leading the chant was Art Lucier, a public figure associated with religious leadership in the city. Recently, Lucier was named in a civil lawsuit alleging religious and sexual abuse. The details of that case will be decided in court, and like all individuals facing civil claims, Lucier is entitled to due process. But the optics are striking. 

RELATED: Kelowna Pastor, Harvest Church face 2 lawsuits alleging grooming, sexual assault

Editor's note: The accusations against Lucier have not been proven in court as of May 8, 2025. 


Lucier乌鸦传媒檚 decision to lead a crowd in chanting 乌鸦传媒淕roomers go home!乌鸦传媒� at the protest was harmful in itself, regardless of any recent allegations. Using such language to target queer individuals and their allies perpetuates dangerous stereotypes, incites fear, and contributes to a climate of hostility and dehumanization乌鸦传媒攅specially toward some of the most vulnerable members of our community.

For many in the queer community, hearing accusations like 乌鸦传媒済谤辞辞尘别谤乌鸦传媒� hurled at them isn乌鸦传媒檛 new. It乌鸦传媒檚 a smear with a long, ugly history 乌鸦传媒� one rooted in the same tactics used by the religious right decades ago to keep gay and lesbian people out of classrooms and positions of public trust. Then, as now, it was never about protecting children. It is about policing identities.

In recent years, we乌鸦传媒檝e seen multiple headlines about individuals in positions of religious or moral authority being charged or accused in cases involving sexual misconduct and assault. It乌鸦传媒檚 a tragic pattern 乌鸦传媒� and one that rarely involves drag queens, queer educators, or transgender people. That乌鸦传媒檚 why hashtags like #NotADragQueen appear online in the wake of these revelations.

When those in positions of influence or moral leadership use their platforms to stir up fear and suspicion 乌鸦传媒� especially against already marginalized groups 乌鸦传媒� it乌鸦传媒檚 worth asking: who benefits? And who乌鸦传媒檚 being harmed?

There乌鸦传媒檚 a bitter irony when those who accuse others of wrongdoing are later accused themselves. It reminds us to be cautious of loud moral crusaders. Especially those who seek to erase others under the guise of protecting children.

And yet, despite it all, I remain hopeful. Most Canadians 乌鸦传媒� in Kelowna where I live, in this whole country 乌鸦传媒� want to live in peace. They want to treat others with dignity, even if they don乌鸦传媒檛 understand them fully. Most people still believe in fairness, in compassion, in live and let live.

There乌鸦传媒檚 wisdom in that. And maybe even salvation.

~ Wilbur Turner is a political strategist and community advocate based in Kelowna, British Columbia, with deep roots in Alberta. With experience on the ground in federal and municipal campaigns, and a passion for civic engagement, Turner offers sharp, accessible insight into the political issues shaping our region and country. He was selected by the University of British Columbia for an Honorary Doctor of Laws for his significant contribution to the community.