Canadian Museum for Human Rights Staff Censored Abortion and LGBT Content on Some Tours

Canadian Museum for Human Rights staff reported being instructed to avoid discussing pregnancy and abortion during certain tours, according to internal emails obtained by CBC News. The emails, dated 2017, reveal that some employees were directed to omit specific content when guiding groups from religious schools, including Hutterite colonies. One staff member noted that she began marking tour bookings with restrictions, such as noting that a group came from a Hutterite school and specifying that tour guides should avoid mentioning pregnancy, abortion, or gay rights.

The employee described receiving repeated requests from religious school groups to exclude certain topics. She wrote that she was told to be “very conscious” of these restrictions, as groups from such schools “would be in a lot of trouble” if students encountered the content. These directives were reportedly given by a superior, raising concerns about the museum’s approach to content curation and inclusivity.

The emails suggest that the museum’s content was being adjusted to align with the cultural or religious beliefs of certain visitor groups. One current staff member recounted being told by her supervisor to avoid “women’s content like abortion” during tours for religious school groups. She expressed confusion and discomfort with the instruction, despite the museum’s public commitment to human rights and inclusivity.

The report highlights broader issues of censorship and the handling of sensitive topics within the museum. Employees described a climate where content was being filtered based on the beliefs of specific groups, raising questions about the balance between respecting cultural values and upholding the museum’s mission. The situation has been described as “pervasive and systemic” in some reports, indicating a deeper concern about the institution’s approach to diversity and inclusion.

The Canadian Museum for Human Rights, located in Winnipeg, has faced criticism for its handling of content related to human rights issues. The emails suggest that the museum’s policies may have led to the exclusion of important narratives, such as the story of Viola Desmond, a Black human rights pioneer. This has sparked discussions about the role of institutions in presenting a comprehensive and inclusive history.

The controversy underscores the challenges of navigating cultural and religious sensitivities in public spaces. It also raises questions about the responsibility of institutions to provide accurate and diverse information, even when it may conflict with the values of certain groups. The situation highlights the need for transparency and accountability in how such decisions are made and communicated.

Source: Read the original report