Advocacy Canada has serious concerns over a West Kelowna event planned by controversial American Christian musician Sean Feucht.
A statement from the group claims Feucht鈥檚 public activism is 鈥渨idely regarded as anti-2SLGBTQIA+ and aligned with exclusionary, far-right Christian nationalist movements.鈥�
The organization also claims that his Let Us Worship tour has "generated alarm across North America for its divisive rhetoric and its targeting of queer and trans communities under the guise of religious expression.鈥�
鈥淗is documented efforts to roll back rights for 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, oppose gender-affirming care, and suppress reproductive rights are incompatible with Canadian values of equity, inclusion, and human dignity,鈥� the statement reads.鈥�
An August 2023 post on Feucht鈥檚 X account referred to 鈥渟atanists and drag queens playing perverted devil worship music laced with profanity.鈥�
鈥淧ublic spaces belong to everyone,鈥� Wilbur Turner, president of Advocacy Canada, said. 鈥淧ermitting someone with such a harmful agenda to use a city park for what amounts to a platform for discrimination sends the wrong message, especially to queer youth who are already vulnerable.鈥�
The group is urging city leaders to reflect on the broader consequences of permitting events that promote messages of bigotry and exclusion, at a time when hate crimes against queer and trans people are rising.
鈥淪ean Feucht has the right to his beliefs,鈥� Turner added. 鈥淏ut the city also has the responsibility to ensure its public spaces aren鈥檛 being used to promote ideologies that threaten the safety and dignity of marginalized groups.鈥�
The by Feucht鈥檚 scheduled event.
"By allowing this event to proceed on public grounds, the City of West Kelowna risks legitimizing and amplifying messages that run counter to inclusion, safety, and human rights," a statement by the board says. "We call on our broader community to stand with us: contact West Kelowna city officials, make your voices heard, and demand accountability. Municipal leaders must be held to a standard that prioritizes the well-being of all residents."
Feucht鈥檚 website describes him as a speaker, author, missionary, artist, activist, and the founder of multiple global movements. He has publicly criticized COVID-19 restrictions, led a 2022 protest against The Walt Disney Company over its stance against anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, and has been described by U.S. media as a 鈥淢AGA superstar鈥� for his support of Donald Trump.
The musician has drawn support and condemnation since his 11 date Let Us Worship tour started on July 23 in Nova Scotia. However, five of those shows have been cancelled, including Halifax, Quebec City, Charlottetown, Moncton, and Vaughan.
In a July 27 Facebook interview, Feucht was asked if the cancellations and criticism he has faced are an attack on religious freedoms in Canada.
鈥淚 think that any sane person can see what鈥檚 happening,鈥� Feucht told the interviewer. 鈥淲e don鈥檛 even have to talk too much about it if, you know, Christians get fined, persecuted, and smoke bombed, and politicians don鈥檛 say anything.鈥�
Feucht was referring to his July 25 concert at a Montreal church where a smoke bomb was set off in the building and protesters gathered outside.
The church is facing a $2,500 fine for hosting the event without a permit.
Courtesy of Right Blend
In a July 23 statement, the City of West Kelowna said that the booking for Feucht鈥檚 show at Memorial Park on Aug. 23 is a private event and is not affiliated with any city programming or events.
鈥淚n light of the safety concerns identified at the shows scheduled in Eastern Canada, staff are reviewing the safety considerations of this event,鈥� the statement said.
An . The city anticipates having an update on the event next week.
Feucht is also scheduled to .
A special-events permit for the show at Mill Lake Park is currently under review by the city.
