Niagara-on-the-Lake has installed its first rainbow crosswalk, just in time for Pride Month. It’s been in the works for two years, and was done quietly Monday evening, with no fanfare, to be in time for Pride recognition.
A news release from the town Tuesday says in addition to the crosswalk at the intersection of Niagara Stone Road and Anderson Lane, the town “is proudly flying the Progressive Pride Flag at town hall.” It was raised Monday, with members of Pride Niagara in attendance.
The crosswalk is the same Progressive Pride design as used by the Niagara Region on St. Davids Road, “to promote the continuity of rainbow crosswalks throughout Niagara,” the news release says.
“The design consists of the traditional rainbow flag with the addition of black, brown, light blue, pink and white stripes. The light blue, pink and white represent trans and non-binary individuals, and the black and brown represent marginalized people of colour. The painting of this crosswalk serves as a visible reminder that all are welcome in Niagara-on-the-Lake.”
Since a rainbow crosswalk discussion was first raised by the town’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee residents have not been entirely onboard, with letters to The NOTL Local indicating a lack of support.
A public survey or referendum was suggested by some residents, and although the town did conduct a survey it was not to determine whether residents agreed with a rainbow crosswalk, but rather where it should be installed.
The same was asked for the location of five rainbow benches. There is now one in the Virgil Sports Park, with the others to be installed at Mary and King Street, in Niagara on the Green Park, Sparky’s Park and at the Queenston Firehall — one in each of the five communities.
Although the town did receive a grant to help pay for the crosswalk and benches, there was going to be a need to find other sources of funding.
The Rotary Club of NOTL stepped up, offering a $1,500 donation to the crosswalk project, and will be sending funds this week, says Rotarian Bill French. “We were waiting on its completion before we sent the money.”
In the news release, CAO Marnie Cluckie called the crosswalk “a visible way of celebrating, supporting and creating awareness of the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community in Niagara-on-the-Lake.”
NOTL “is a community welcoming and accepting of all,” the news release says, calling on members of the community to “show their #NOTLPride by printing and hanging NOTL Pride posters throughout town and encouraging social media users to post pictures of pride colours.”
A small ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held to honour and celebrate this initiative sometime during Pride Month in June, with a date to be confirmed, Cluckie said in an email to The Local.
This isn’t the first rainbow crosswalk in Niagara-on-the-Lake — Niagara College beat the town to it with installations at both their campuses in 2019.
