Transgender festival cancelled after facing pressure to take pro-Palestine stance
A Vancouver Island festival celebrating transgender ideology has been cancelled following demands from activists that organizers take a public stance on the war in Gaza.
A Vancouver Island festival celebrating transgender ideology has been cancelled following demands from activists that organizers take a public stance on the war in Gaza.
TransFest, scheduled for August 16 in Saanich, was promoted as a celebration of transgender identities and music.
In a statement posted to Instagram, organizers said the event was called off after the Municipality of Saanich revoked permits amid growing controversy.
“Sadly, a small group of dedicated pro-Palestinian activists have decided to demand that TransFest take a stand on the war in Gaza,” organizers wrote, adding that founder Frances Riley “refused to capitulate to their demands.”
Public comments on TransFest’s Instagram page identified Aaron Devor, one of the festival’s sponsors, as a source of contention for being a Zionist.
Devor is the founder and inaugural chair of transgender studies at the University of Victoria, past president of the Jewish Federation of Victoria and Vancouver Island, and a former board member of Hillel BC.
Several commenters argued that Devor’s past leadership in Jewish community organizations tied to Zionism clashed with the festival’s values.
Others defended the festival, saying it was being derailed by unrelated political disputes.
The controversy has highlighted the growing disunity within the trans community itself, with some questioning why international conflicts are inserted into the trans agenda.
Last year, similar tensions were observed at Halifax Pride in July of 2024, when Halifax Pride adopted a stance calling for the boycott of companies with ties to Israel, alleged or in fact.
LGBT historian Daniel MacKay argued that Halifax Pride should not engage in international politics, stating, “Pride has a job to unite people here in Halifax, their mandate is to run a festival and that festival is supposed to be for everyone.”
Columnist Jonathan Kay characterized the incident as an example of ideological overreach.
“Breaking news: ‘Transfest’ has been cancelled,” Kay wrote on X. “TLDR: They found out ONE of the organizers was a Zionist and everyone went cuckoo bananas.”
Organizers said refunds are being arranged for vendors following the cancellation.
It's a beautiful thing when the ideological chickens come home to roost
Of course none of these "trans" organizers, activists or supporters realize that if they were in Gaza or any other mulsim country they would most likely and certainly be jailed and or given a death sentance for their lifestyle which goes against Islam religion......So many stupid morons who have zero understanding of what they are screaming and ranting for......