Island Health, the healthcare provider for Vancouver Island, will be adding rainbow sidewalks out front of three different hospitals in celebration of Pride.
The painted rainbow sidewalks will be added out front of Royal Jubilee Hospital in Greater Victoria, Nanaimo Regional General Hospital and North Island Comox Valley Hospital.
In a press release, Island Health said that the sidewalks “show that love is healthy – whatever a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity and/or gender expression.”
These new rainbow walks, expected to be completed by the end of August, are Island Health’s “visual demonstration” of the health care provider’s commitment to improve diversity and inclusion, says the press release.
Island Health also said that black and brown stripes will be included in each rainbow in order to represent LGBTQ2S+ communities of colour.
“Island Health is committed to addressing discrimination against people because of who they are or whom they love,” said Leah Hollins, Chair for the Island Health Board of Directors. “Rainbow sidewalks make this commitment visible and recognize the diversity and inclusivity of the LGBTQ2S+ community.”
According to Island Health, they will be continuing to look for other healthcare facilities within the region for other potential rainbow sidewalks.
Back in 2019, the health care provider formed the Pride Working Group, which includes LGBTQ2S+ community members and allies.
“I see the power of Pride to create safety, inclusion and community,” said Nicole Tremblay, Clinical Educator, Seniors Strategy & Tertiary Mental Health and member of the Pride Working Group. “To feel the support of allies and organizations makes LGBTQ2S+ people remember that there is understanding, there is respect, there is acceptance and the belief that love will win.”
Organizations on Vancouver Island, like the Victoria Pride Society and Nanaimo Pride Society, had to forgo parades and celebrations in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Graham Cox
