An Ontario mayor interrupted a teen's Pride speech, saying: 'I'm not going to allow you to continue'

Sophie Mills's speech referenced controversial Facebook post by Coun. Adam Cooper John Dalusong · CBC News · Posted: Jun 03, 2026 PM EDT | Last Updated: 12 hours ago Play article Estimated 5 minutes The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results. Here's the moment a Cambridge teen's Pride speech was interrupted June 3|Duration Pride month is meant to be a celebration of inclusiveness and community. But it wasn't for 17-year-old Sophie Mills, who was giving a speech in front of Mayor Jan Liggett on Monday. During their speech, Sophie mentioned councillor Adam Cooper's controversial Facebook post that had made light of pronouns and sparked outrage from members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Liggett stopped the teen mid-speech and asked them to omit the part about Cooper before allowing them to continue speaking. A video that shows Cambridge, Ont., Mayor Jan Liggett interrupting a teenager's speech during a Pride event is making waves. Sophie Mills, who was asked to address Cambridge's Pride flag-raising event on Monday at city hall, told CBC News that what ended up happening "really sucked." “That was my first big opportunity for speaking and it was scary because I had no control there. I am a teenager, I'm a child and she is an elected official," Mills said about the mayor. Mills, who uses they/them pronouns, watched a council meeting on Oct. 14, 2025 and had decided to rewrite part of their speech to comment on how Ward 6 Coun. Adam Cooper’s controversial Facebook post in January 2025 made them feel. WATCH | Sophie Mills shares their experience with CBC after mayor interrupts speech: Cambridge teen speaks out after mayor interrupts Pride speech 12 hours ago|Duration This week, Pride flags were raised throughout the region, including in Cambridge. But what was meant to be a celebration of inclusiveness and community changed when Mayor Jan Liggett interrupted 17-year-old Sophie Mills during their speech after Mills mentioned a controversial Facebook post made . The post included a meme that showed a person with blue hair screaming toward the camera. "He took my pronouns! I have to live in reality now!" was written on the image, alluding to U. President Donald Trump's executive order ending many policies protecting 2SLGBTQ+ rights.  Cambridge councillor's meme alluding to Trump's 2-gender executive order causes outrage In the video showing Mills giving a speech, a seated Liggett stands up, walks toward Mills and pulls the microphone away from them. "Sophie, I'm not going to allow you to continue.