Keswick installing second rainbow crosswalk in York Region

The newest crosswalk is located near the Every Child Matters crosswalk near the ferry to Georgina Island

Newmarkettoday.ca
Nov. 22, 2021

Our rainbow crosswalk campaign marks its latest milestone next Saturday, Nov. 27 as the Town of Georgina opens their new rainbow crosswalk in the heart of downtown Keswick alongside their Every Child Matters crosswalk near the ferry to Georgina Island. This marks the second Rainbow Crosswalk in York Region with seven municipalities remaining committed to these installations.

We wish to express our gratitude to our partners at CAYR and Executive Director Marie Morton for collaborating on this latest effort and to Mayor Quirk, Councillor Neeson and many others for their time in considering locations that are frequented by residents and tourists alike.

Rainbow Crosswalks and other inclusive crosswalks are growing increasingly popular as our communities gain a better understanding of the benefits of affirming installations and spaces have on queer-lived experiences. These crosswalks bring not only the affirming presence our marginalized communities need but challenge residents and tourists to assess not only their knowledge of these lived-experiences but their commitment to Allyship.

Though these crosswalks can at times be magnets for hate crimes, the discrimination and cost of hate faced by many within the LGBTQ2 community often goes unseen. We are confident in the support Georgina residents have for the LGBTQ2 community and our allies in law enforcement who will rally against any acts of hate and swiftly hold anyone who attempts to smear these affirming installations to account.

These crosswalks also highlight the work Georgina’s business community has undertaken to ensure their customers are aware their spaces are safe and affirming ones. This is highlighted by the work of the team at Turkey Shoot Brewing Co. and the work they undertook this past June in donating proceeds of their limited edition Ice Hut Stout to Pflag Canada York Region.

We look forward to continuing conversations with the seven remaining York Region municipalities to see these installations become a reality in all corners of our region.