Surrey parents host pro-LGBTQ rally at L.A. Matheson Secondary
Published 2:13 pm Tuesday, June 9, 2026
Surrey Police were in attendance during a pro-2SLGBTQ+ rally outside L.A. Matheson Secondary School on Tuesday afternoon (June 9) in which counter-protesters turned out in response.
The Surrey District’s Parent Advisory Council (DPAC) and L.A. Matheson parents arranged a rally at the school to show their support for the 2SLGBTQ+ community. This was after vandals defaced a rainbow crosswalk in Surrey near Holland Park, at Old Yale Road and University Drive, on May 30.
“We are here to just have a peaceful, positive presence in the community,” Anne Whitmore, president of the Surrey DPAC, told Black Press Media.
With June being pride month, Whitemore shared L.A. Matheson specifically has been targeted multiple times by hate groups.
She said that the parents and DPAC wanted to be good allies and to put things into action. “I think it’s important for us to show up,” said Whitmore.
The individuals a part of the rally painted a mural with rainbow hand prints on the top and held up positive pro 2SLGBTQ+ signs to show their support. They also played LGBTQ+ friendly music through a bluetooth speaker.
“It doesn’t cost much to be supportive,” said Whitemore. “You have the right to believe what you want, but let’s keep it away from our kids.”
Annie Ohana, co-department head for equity at L.A. Matheson, said the rally came to be after parents reached out to DPAC.
“We’re here because parents are stepping up in all the right kind of ways,” she said, noting the rally stemmed from the crosswalk vandalism. “This is in response. But at the same time, isn’t it beautiful to just have parents show up with a big heart and to say, ‘You all matter’?”
Ohana says that the parents support the public education system and that means they trust the teachers with their kids. She wants the parents to know that these teachers respect and accept everyone.
Ohana shares that the problem lies with the mal information that is being spread. “It is meant to hurt people, that is such a dangerous reality.”
Surrey Police announced yesterday (June 8) that one man has been arrested in connection with the vandalism, although no charges had yet been laid. His name has not yet been released.
A well-known anti-LGBTQ+ protester turned out at the Tuesday rally with three supporters holding signs.
The anti-LGBTQ protesters played the national anthem while protesting and spoke out into microphones sharing their point of views.
Parents remained outside the school until the end of the school day, when students came out. Students stopped to talk to both parents and police on their way out of the school. A few staff members also were wearing shirts in support.
Although the anti protestors were in attendance, Ohana shares that she hopes the efforts the parents and DPAC made today (June 9) were valuable to the L.A. Matheson students and that they are here for them.