Burlington announces city’s first rainbow crosswalk

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Published June 19, 2020 at 5:47 pm

Burlington announces city’s first rainbow crosswalk

Burlington has announced the city’s first rainbow crosswalk in celebration of Pride month.

Burlington has announced the city’s first rainbow crosswalk in celebration of Pride month.

The announcement was made by virtually using Facebook Live by Mayor Marianne Meed Ward, City Councillors and a few representatives from the LGBTQ2IS+ community.

The motion to implement a rainbow crosswalk was approved on September 23, 2019. Since then, many 15 different intersections have been suggested. However, locations such as Lakeshore and Maple and Lakeshore and Nelson were excluded from consideration due to a previously existing coloured pattern.

“Our Rainbow Crosswalk is one visible way to stand with our LGBTQ2IS+ community here and across our nation and world. It’s one way to send a strong message of support and welcome that Burlington is everyone’s city,” Mayor Marianne Meed Ward said in a news release.

Transportation staff formed a Rainbow Crosswalk Project Team made up of representatives of the LGBTQ2IS+ community:

  • Burlington Inclusivity Advisory Committee & HRPS
  • St. Christopher’s Anglican Church
  • Halton District School Board
  • Positive Space Network
  • Pflag Canada – Halton

Further, the project team was provided a list of potential locations and criteria to consider when selecting their choices on behalf of their organization, exposure—how many people could potentially see the crosswalk, future construction work, existing conditions—such the state of the pavement, and community support—how will those around the location respond.

“We know that our residents have stories of experiencing discrimination and intolerance because of who they love, and this must stop. We have plans for more crosswalks around the city, and many requests from our young people to put these near schools to clearly show our support and welcome for all members of our LGBTQ2IS+ especially our youth,” Meed Ward continued.

After careful consideration, the location chosen was at the base of Burlington Avenue on Lakeshore Road, leading into Spencer Smith Park.

“I am thrilled to see Burlington showing support for Pride and the LGTBQ2IS+ community through the installation of this rainbow painted crosswalk. It is an important public statement of welcome and inclusion that will be available year-round in our City,” Lisa Kearns, Ward 2 Councillor, said in the same release.

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