Dear Editor:
The Minto Pride Committee would like to address the concerns of two members of Minto council regarding the proposal for rainbow crosswalks to be installed in Harriston, Palmerston, and Clifford.
The first concern shared by councillors Mark Mackenzie and Judy Dirksen was the amount of money requested and the variance in the estimates provided by the pride committee. Those estimates were examples from other Ontario towns that installed rainbow crosswalks in the past year.
Town of Minto CAO Derrick Thomson is working with the roads department to provide a report that will more accurately give an estimate of the amount for our region. We recognize that installing a new crosswalk is costly, and trust our roads department to find the most economical and quality construction to bring before your consideration.
If it is more reasonable to do so, one crosswalk in each town spread out over the next three years would have as great an impact as doing all three in 2022.
We, as well as the local Cultural Roundtable, believe that the impact for the Town is worth the cost. The town has installed murals, public art, and made other upgrades that have gone over well and been approved in the past.
Not only would a rainbow crosswalk be something beautiful in our town that could be enjoyed by locals and tourists alike, but it would also show that Minto isn’t just a place where families belong as our signs boast, but a place where all families belong.
We respectfully challenge Dirksen’s comparison that this would lead to other groups wanting crosswalks, like the Legion or the horticultural society. Comparing our groups is a false equivalency. Gardeners, veterans, and members of other special interest groups have always been visibly celebrated and welcomed in our communities. The 2SLGBTQ+ community has not only been historically ostracized, but is continuing to fight for equality.
Oppressive and hateful actions and sentiments towards the 2SLGBTQ+ community exist in Wellington County, as we have seen in increasing concerns and incidents at Centre Wellington District High School.
We need to take a stand to support our youth and to support the more marginalized members of our community. Minto could be a leader in this work.
The Minto Pride Committee has inspired other local rural areas, such as North Perth to start their own Pride group. We want to see Minto continue to be a leader in progressive policies and decisions.
Our town has made great strides this year to begin addressing injustice and bigotry in our community, as demonstrated by the Solidarity March Against Hate held in Harriston on June 14. If Minto wants to continue fighting for social justice, a statement like the one the rainbow crosswalk would provide would show their ongoing support of the 2SLGBTQ+ community past just the month of June.
We appreciate the support of the majority of the council and challenge the others to reconsider their position.
Rosie Krul,
Minto Pride Committee