The unveiling of the Town of Innisfil’s new inclusive progressive Pride crosswalk took place this morning at the entrance of Innisfil Beach Park encouraging residents, visitors, and local businesses to walk proudly with freedom to be yourself.
This is the first rainbow crosswalk of its kind in all of Canada, symbolizing inclusiveness and diversity, and representing the 2SLGBTQi+ community (Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, and additional sexual orientations and gender identities) .
Opening ceremonies began with a warm welcome from Innisfil’s Mayor Lynn Dollin, joined by Deputy Mayor Dan Davidson, Coun. Bill Ven Berkel, Coun. Alex Waters, and Coun. Donna Orsatti. Representation from South Simcoe Police, Innisfil Pride, UPLift Black, and members of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee with SSP were also present at the event.
“We’re here today for a milestone in the history of our town, as we reveal the first intersex inclusive rainbow crosswalk in Simcoe County,” began Mayor Dollin. “The past year and a half has been tough on the community and we have relied heavily on one another for support, to share ideas, start critical dialogue, and push for the change that we want to see.”
In collaboration and partnership between the Innisfil Pride Committee and the Innisfil ideaLAB & Library, planning began a few months prior to Pride month with the emphasis around properly representing diversity and inclusiveness, and the 2SLGBTQi+ community year-round.
The rainbow flag’s original design was updated to show diversity of the 2SLGBTQi+ and was derived (with permission) from the original design of artist and intersex columnist, Valentino Vecchietti.
“When we settled on the idea of a crosswalk, we wanted to do it right,” shares Jen Murley, Community Engagement Coordinator for Innisfil IdeaLAB & Library. “So, we worked with Valentino… to bring the intersex inclusive design to Innisfil. This crosswalk is a message to residents, visitors, and community partners that in this community, you have the freedom to be yourself and walk through Innisfil Beach park knowing that there are people here to support you.”
The six horizontal colours within the crosswalk’s design represent life (red), healing (orange), sunlight (yellow), nature (green), harmony (indigo) and spirit (violet). Additional design colours include black and brown which represents people of colour, pink, light blue and white representing the trans community, and the yellow triangle and purple circle represent the intersex community.
“It is such a beautiful thing when an idea, hard work, and resources merge to create change,” says Jake Tucker, President of Innisfil Pride. “This was such an important thing for our community to be visibly accepting of all walks of life and I cannot express enough gratitude to everyone involved to bringing this to fruition.”
“Some parts of the world we lose track of the importance of unity,” shares MPP Andrea Khanjin. “At the end of the day, we should all love one another and we’re all in this together whether its going through a pandemic, or dealing with community struggles, or how to make the community more inclusive. Today’s crosswalk is a really good image of that. It’s the beacon of hope for everyone that shows no matter who you are or where you come from, there is a place for you in Canada and especially in Innisfil.”
“I’m really emotional today,” expressed Shelly Skinner, member and representative of UPLift Black. “I know as you navigate online, you might see some people are having issues with the evolution of the pride flag – from the common rainbow to what you see here today. Change can be scary. But I don’t want to live in a world where progress isn’t inevitable. I’m proud to live in a community that is committed to supporting all of its citizens. Innisfil is taking a stand against hate, bigotry, and discrimination with a simple gesture to our community.”
“Our youth, our future, is counting on us to get this right,” says Skinner.
