A downtown Toronto city councillor says she is working with police to prevent any possible homophobic or transphobic confrontation ahead of a planned march next weekend in the Gay Village.

Coun. Kristyn Wong-Tam (Ward 13 Toronto Centre) said in a Facebook statement that she, police, and city and local agencies are “diligently monitoring the situation” and “organizing to protect our community” ahead of the Sept. 28 event.

The group Christian Positive Space plans to march from the Esplanade along Church Street through the Gay Village to Davenport Road to promote "civil liberties", according to founder David Lynn. They will march along Church Street due to the religious meaning behind the word “church” and it’s significance to the Christian faith, he said.

Lynn said Christian Positive Space is not homophobic and they respect all Canadians. “We love everyone.”

Lynn has attracted controversy in the neighbourhood before. On June 5, Lynn stood in the middle of what police described as a “large hostile crowd” at Church and Wellesley Streets, saying things such as, “I’m coming out as a Christian.” He was removed by police and charged with disturbing the peace.

In an interview, Wong-Tam said the Gay Village has in the past seen demonstrations from “extremely homophobic” and “alt-right” religious members who were “essentially praying for our souls” and telling locals they need to “repent.”

Wong-Tam said the neighbourhood is welcoming to people of the Christian faith and other religions.

The 519, a registered charity representing the LGBTQ2+ community, alongside other interfaith communities, said they will be organizing a counter-event in response to the Sept. 28 rally.

Correction - September 24, 2019: This article was edited from a previous version that mistakenly said charges against David Lynn related to disturbing the peace were dropped. In fact, he is charged with one count of cause disturbance and is scheduled to appear in court in October 2019.