Anti-Bill 10 rallies in Calgary, Edmonton

A parents group will be holding rallies in Calgary and Edmonton Saturday calling for amendments to Bill 10.

That's the province's legislation that protects gender identity and sexual orientation in public schools.

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Donna Trimble says her group, Parents For Choice In Education, is concerned about the role of parents under the new rules.

She says that includes policy that schools must receive a student's permission before disclosing information about their sexual orientation or gender identity to their parents.

"We've got a situation where a lot of parents fear that their children may be getting counselled when what they really need is the love of their parents and reassurance that they will be loved no matter what."

Bill 10 was passed in March 2015 by the Conservative government in power at the time.

Recently, Alberta school boards created policies under the NDP government's guidelines.

LGBTQ advocate Pace Anhorn says the bill is a positive step.

"There are homes that are safe and are healthy homes and there are some that are not," Anhorn said.

"So they need to look at the whole structure and see all elements that are going on, not just what one voice is saying or what one group of parents are saying."

The Edmonton rally will be held at the legislature, the Calgary one is at the McDougall Centre.

Both start at 2 p.m.

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