An event featuring Meghan Murphy and other women speaking on gender identity and women’s rights has been preemptively cancelled by the Cowichan Community Centre, citing the BC Human Rights Code.

On Oct. 2, Ms. Murphy posted the letter cancelling the event—Inclusivity, Gender Identity, and Women’s Rights—which was scheduled to take place on Oct. 4. The letter was written by the Cowichan Community Centre Division’s administrative and facility booking coordinator Maaike McCooey and said the event would be cancelled.
“As a public facility we are required to follow policy under the BC Human Rights Code. Given the likelihood that the purpose of this event is to promote, or would have the effect of promoting discrimination, contempt or hatred for any group or person on the basis of sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, or any other similar factor, it is determined this rental must be cancelled,” wrote the coordinator, who did not return requests for comment by The Epoch Times by press time.

The Cowichan coordinator said the district was “committed to providing a positive work environment that embraces diversity and treats everyone with dignity and respect.”

Based on social media posts, it appears a local activist took issue with the presentation, suggesting it was an “anti-trans presentation” that would support “harmful rhetoric.” The activist posted the emails of the community centre administrators and encouraged others to try and shut down the event.