Langford students are following the rainbow road to school with the installation of a new crosswalk meant to honour 2SLGBTQIA+ people and increase safety, awareness and inclusivity.
The City of Langford says the Progress Pride Flag crosswalk, installed on Tuesday, Feb. 13, at Spencer Middle School was an initiative brought forward by the school’s Sexual Orientation and Gender Identities (SOGI) Club.
The school is located at 1026 Goldstream Ave.
The club had written a letter to Langford’s mayor and council in hopes a crosswalk collaboration would come to fruition.
“Adding a Progress Pride Flag crosswalk to our community will communicate the importance of diversity and hopefully unite the underrepresented 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, adults, seniors, and families in Langford,” the club wrote.
‘It takes courage’
Jen Nixon, the school’s principal, is thrilled.
She says the students have “exemplified their commitment to being engaged citizens,” while teacher Kelly McCarthy, student engagement facilitator Su Castle and education assistant Rachelle Wadham provided them with guidance.
“I am so proud and impressed with the students in the SOGI Club. It takes courage to stand up for human rights, and it takes grit to persevere on the journey of creating an inclusive, diverse, and respectful community,” said Nixon.
Last October, at least two Vancouver Island municipalities declared their support for the LGBTQ+ and gender-diverse community following cross-country protests against the SOGI 123 curriculum in schools.
READ ALSO: Victoria, Nanaimo declare support for LGBTQ+ community in wake of protests
The curriculum looks to increase the visibility of the diversity of sexual orientation, gender identities and expressions being recognized and valued, among other goals.
On Tuesday, Sooke School District (SD62) posted a photo on Facebook of crews painting the crosswalk, adding, “Our gratitude to the City of Langford for making the neighbourhood around Spencer Middle School more welcoming to all.”
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Students from the SOGI club had requested that the crosswalk be painted with the colours of the Progress Pride Flag, which combines both the Rainbow Pride and Transgender flags. It also includes colours to represent Black, Indigenous and people of colour (BIPOC), according to the city in its post.
The new crosswalk refreshes the existing one outside the school.
“We hope it will make all students feel welcome and safe,” said a SOGI student representative. “The rainbow represents the spectrum of identities at Spencer Middle School as well as our shared values of inclusivity and respect.”
Langford Mayor Scott Goodmanson applauds the students.
“It’s great to see such inclusive and thoughtful leadership from Langford youth,” said Goodmanson, adding that the crosswalk “represents the City’s support and commitment to ensuring a safe and welcome environment for all residents to feel seen and represented in their community.”
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Ethan Morneau
