If you’re planning on attending the Women’s March on Parliament Hill this Saturday, you might want to leave the “pussy hat” behind.

The hat, which is often hand-knitted with corners that poke out like cat ears, featured prominently at the inaugural marches last year. Now, it’s at the center of a debate about the inclusion of transgender people at the event.

The argument is that, by focusing on the vagina, the hat excludes women who may not have the biological features typically associated with womanhood — like a “pussy.”

“Are we like totally set on a hat for some reason? Not every woman has a pussy and not everyone with a pussy is a woman,” read one comment on the Facebook event page for the march.

“I think Nasty Woman shirts, pussy hats, etc are representations of a particularly non inclusive brand of feminism — (I) understand your intention might be ‘good’ but your actions have consequences and alienate further marginalized people of colour and trans/nonbinary individuals,” explained another.

The purpose of the march itself is to “show that the progress made in 2017 was not enough,” according to the event’s website.

“Women’s organizations in Ottawa with the organizers of last year’s Women’s March invite you to save the date for a timely conversation about women’s issues and practical tools for community organizing and lobbying in Ottawa,” the website explains

The march will run from Parliament Hill to the Bronson Centre. It will feature workshops, performances, speakers and community tables.

The pussy hat controversy does not appear to have slowed the march’s attendance. Over 1000 people have signalled their intention to attend the march via the Facebook event and an additional 5000 have indicated their interest.

Some of these attendees are still planning on wearing the pussy hats. One individual is even selling the hats on the Facebook page, with a chunk of the proceeds going towards the march itself.

“It’s about reclaiming the word ‘Pussy’ and taking away its power. I know men who have been called ‘Pussy’ in Malice. The hats were a way for the craftivisim community to come together vent frustrations and also keep heads warm,” wrote one person on the Facebook event page.

“Whether one likes or dislikes the pink hats, they got press/media attention and LOTS of publicity. And that was and is the point!” read another Facebook comment.

The march organizers have said they will not ban the hat from the event, but they are aware of the concerns.

“Our goal was to ensure that we have as inclusive environment as possible for all women, including the transgender community. We welcome all women to wear whatever headgear, clothing, signs, etc to the march as long as (they’re) respectful,” the organizers explained in response to concerns on the Facebook event page.

“We are striving to create an event that centers [on] the experiences of marginalized communities, especially folks impacted by racism, anti-black racism, colonialism, ableism and transmisogyny. It is intended to celebrate diversity, inclusion and empowerment of ALL who are women!” reads a statement on the march’s official website.

The Women’s March begins at noon this Saturday at Parliament Hill. For more information, you can visit the official website here.