A crosswalk between city hall and the fire department will receive a colourful facelift this summer.
Members of the Flin Flon Pride committee attended the May 15 meeting of Flin Flon city council to address their requests for the Flin Flon Pride Festival. The requests include an official proclamation for Flin Flon Pride week to take place between Aug. 12 to 18, as well as a pride flag raising at city hall, the use of Pioneer Square and a parade permit.
The committee also requested a rainbow crosswalk to be painted in front of city hall. In a letter addressed to council, the committee explained that the purpose of the crosswalk would be to show Flin Flon is a community accepting of diversity.
“It shows people that they are accepted and loved within their community. Flin Flon has come a long way, but we could do better in regards to acceptance,” the letter reads.
Jordana Oulette, executive director of the Flin Flon Pride committee explained why she believed the culture of acceptance in Flin Flon could be improved.
“Why I say we could do better, is we did have a few comments last year during the Canada Day parade where we made our debut. Somebody was yelling things at us by the side…and then during Main Street Days we had somebody come up and ask where their straight parade was, where their straight flag was, so that’s why I say we could do better to show we’re an accepting community,” said Oulette.
“This year we’ve got six junior members on the committee, so it’s younger people we’re reaching out for, and some of them have actually joined the committee due to seeing Pride last year, we have helped, but we can do better.”
Coun. Colleen McKee wondered whether the crosswalk would be temporary or would need to be maintained over time. Pride committee members expressed that the symbolism of the crosswalk is more important to them than the maintenance of it. Oulette explained that crosswalks in other communities, including Saskatoon and Lethbridge, Alta., are permanent, but that the committee would be comfortable if the crosswalk is temporary.
Council voted 4-3 in favour of referring the project to administration – Mayor Cal Huntley, and Coun. Karen MacKinnon were absent from the meeting.
City administration is researching materials and design the crosswalk, which Glenna Daschuk, city administrator for the City of Flin Flon said will be painted the Friday prior to Pride Week and removed after the week has concluded.
Coun. Guy Rideout told the Pride committee that he was moved to see the parade and flag raising during last year’s celebration.
“I thought it was pretty good, I was pretty proud of everybody,” said Rideout.
“I did witness how open-hearted and open-minded everybody was, it was nice to see.”
Coun. Bill Hanson said he thought the family friendly aspects of last year’s celebration were “pretty cool.”
“That was the main focus last year when the committee was formed,” replied Oulette.
“We wanted to get away from the stereotype of Gay Pride being an excuse for people to take their clothes off. We don’t want that. We want Flin Flon Pride to be more accepting and for the younger generations. We have two family events this year…we just want to go up and make Flin Flon better.”
