'Free speech advocates' rally to support Lindsay Shepherd

About a hundredactivistsorganized a demonstration at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ont. Fridayto showtheir support for teaching assistant Lindsay Shepherd.

The universitylater apologized for how Shepherd was treated during a meeting with her professor about using the video.

Supporters speak

Alex McEwinself identifies as a transgender man. He said he came out to support Shepherdbecause he didn't agree with how she was treated and the subsequent Rainbow Centre's statement portrayingher position on the issue of gender, identity and language.

"As an individual, I personally disagree andI feel they don't speak for all queer andtranspeople in university settings," McEwin said.

"Pride and being out ofthe closet, can only happen with free speech," he said. "The students should've talked to their TA first to address pronoun usage."

Counter-protest

TobyFinlay, who prefers to be referred to as 'them' and 'they' in pronouns, said they were silently demonstrating to draw attention to the "trans-phobia that's at the centre of this issue."

"We aren'tdiametrically opposedto freedom of speech," Finlay said.

"But most people would agree there are limitations on when that freedom of speech ends and when that becomes hate speech."