The City of Quinte West reaffirmed its commitment to keeping the rainbow crosswalks across the area.
Speaking during delegation at the previous council meeting, resident Dana Rogalsky suggested that the rainbow crosswalks be changed each month to represent a different community.
Council had initially approved bringing the idea of changing the rainbow crosswalks to the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee.
Members of the LGBTQIA2S+ appeared at council chambers for Wednesday’s meeting with council.
Delegations came from Stacey Love-Joliceur with Bay of Quinte Pride, Transforum, Saga-lgbtq Education and Lexie Haggarty also from Bay of Quinte Pride.
Love-Joliceur spoke on what the colours on the rainbow flag represent.
“For those that don’t know, every colour of the rainbow has a meaning. Red for life, orange for healing, yellow for sunlight, green for nature, blue for serenity, and the purple or the magenta is for our spirit,” Love-Joliceur told council.
“So when I see the rainbow, whether it be a sticker on a business, or a crosswalk, or a flag, or some other expression, I see diversity because every colour of that rainbow speaks to everything I am – my body, my mind, my soul and my spirit. I personally don’t know how much more inclusive it could be.”
When speaking, Haggarty explained her personal motivation for wanting to speak.
“I was walking with my daughter downtown this past week, and we walked over the rainbow crosswalk and with no concept of what it means or anything like that – she’s four years old, she’s here in the audience today – she went, ‘Daddy, this is beautiful,'” Haggarty told council.
“I say so why not add some colour to our monochromatic society? It is beautiful, whether you know it’s a representation of everyone, and it’s beautiful.”
Following the delegations, Quinte West Mayor Jim Harrison said there are no plans to remove the rainbow crosswalks.
“Speaking on behalf of my council colleagues, what you have shared today is important to helping to inform how we continue moving forward as a welcoming place for all,” Harrison said.
“We’re proud of the work we’re doing as it relates to equity and diversity in the city. I look forward to continuing that work with the Equity and Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee and I especially want to say that city council and staff are proud of the projects we’re doing as it relates to equity and diversity and there are no plans to remove the rainbow crosswalks in Quinte West.”
Other members of the LGBTQIA2S+ gave their public input expressing support for the rainbow crosswalks.
