Rainbow crosswalks to show pride in an inclusive community

Mayor Steve Ferguson, Tim Jones, of Base31, BIA chair Penny Morris and councillors Phil St.-Jean and Kate MacNaughton make their way over the new rainbow crosswalk at the Picton Fairgrounds.

Mayor Steve Ferguson, members of council, the Picton Business Improvement Association (BIA) and PEC Partners showed their pride in an inclusive community using the newly painted rainbow crosswalk at Picton Fairgrounds Wednesday morning.

Council supported the painting of two rainbow crosswalks for June’s Pride Month honouring 2SLGBTQ+ communities – at a cost of approximately $1,900, being paid for by PEC Partners (Base31, formerly Loch Sloy) who had offered to contribute to a project the Picton BIA felt was important.

Penny Morris, BIA board chair, said the “bookend crosswalks are a reminder to those of us with power to look out for the vulnerable people to respect their right of way, and to let them pass unharmed.”

She shared remarks from Alexander Bake, vice-chair, who noted “crosswalks are intersections between drivers and pedestrians. It’s easy for drivers, insulated in their vehicles, to breeze past pedestrians. Similarly, it’s easy for people who don’t struggle with discrimination due to sexuality, gender, or race, to ignore the reality of people who do.”

The crosswalk at the Metro location is expected to be completed tonight.