Last summer I spent some time in Princeton, B.C., an unassuming yet somewhat rough-around-the-edges town of less than 3,000. Driving down the main street, it would have been impossible to miss the freshly painted rainbow crosswalk. I was both surprised and elated.
What a forward-thinking overture from a municipality not unlike our own, built around its natural resources – in its case, mining and forestry. There are pockets of love springing up in the most unexpected places these days.
Last week, our own council unanimously passed a motion of support for two rainbow crosswalks as a symbol of welcome for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning community. It’s a move that will let the world know that everyone is accepted in Squamish, regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation or sex. So it made me particularly sad to hear a friend suggest the supposed ridiculousness of the idea.
“It’s not like it will make a difference or anything. A crosswalk isn’t going to change anyone’s mind,” he asserted, after reading The Squamish Chief’s online coverage of the meeting.
Of that, I’m not easily convinced. It might not sway someone with staunch and ingrained homophobic beliefs, but for a 13-year-old who’s questioning his or her self-worth and identity, it can make a world of difference to know that they live in a town that is at minimum accepting, if not downright supportive. It means those kids know they aren’t alone, that they are valued and cared for by their community.
Adriana Smith, a member of Safe ’n’ Sound Squamish, a LGBTQ+ positive organization that promotes safety, education and resources for related issues, approached council last week to suggest the idea. Smith said the crosswalks represent safety and support and that she wants to change the reputation of Squamish for both our local LGBTQ+ community and around the world.
“As we are more visible on the world stage, we need to send out that message,” she said, adding that the group has been discussing the opportunity of local businesses sponsoring a colour as a way to get behind the initiative. “The return on investment is incalculable in terms of tourism dollars.”
Our diversity is extraordinary. We have so much to be boastful of, from the people to the landscape and everything in between; it’s truly an embarrassment of riches.
If a small, blue-collar town like Princeton can actively come together to make such a bold pronouncement, surely we can too. This is a no-brainer.
