A Vernon lawyer has convinced Cineplex to cancel the planned screening of a transphobic film.
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June 13, 2024 - 3:59 PM
A Vernon lawyer has convinced Cineplex to cancel the planned screening of a transphobic film.
A theatre at the Cineplex in Vernon had been rented by FreedomNetwork to show a transphobic film called “The War on Children” on June 15, according to a press release from Lawyers Against Transphobia.
“The War on Children” is a documentary made by Robby Starbuck that argues transgender children are harmed by medical care for their gender dysphoria, despite established guidelines for medical practitioners.
The screening would have taken place in the middle of Pride Month.
Kylie Walman, a lawyer with Nixon Wenger and member of Lawyers Against Transphobia, reminded the theatre of its legal obligations.
“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,” Walman said in the release.
After originally refusing to cancel the screening Cineplex changed its mind and decided to cancel the screening "out of respect for Pride Month."
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The FreedomNetwork is planning to screen the film in other communities around BC.
Walman said Lawyers Against Transphobia will be writing to each of those theatres planning to show the film.
“We would expect those theatres to follow Cineplex’s lead,” Walman said. “Otherwise, of course, we would follow up with legal action.”
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