Rainbow crosswalk coming to downtown Nanaimo

Summary

The City of Nanaimo will be updating two downtown crosswalks at the intersection of Bastion and Commercial to support the City's upcoming Pride Week and our LGBTQ+ community. Residents will notice that the new paint markings vary from more traditional crosswalks and now include the colours of the rainbow between the standard white crosswalk bars.

Used to celebrate diversity and inclusiveness, similar crosswalks can be found in cities across British Columbia, Canada and North America.

Link to Strategic Plan: Community Building Partnerships - Nanaimo seeks to be a Socially Diverse and Sustainable City that nurtures a caring, inclusive, safe environment; provides the basics required for life with dignity and empowers all of its citizens to realize their aspirations.

Key Points

  • The City supports an accepting and welcoming Nanaimo; this installation demonstrates this spirit of inclusivity at the heart of our downtown.
  • Weather dependent, the City's contractor will install the rainbow crosswalks late Sunday evening. During this time, motorists should avoid this intersection.

Quotes

"I am delighted that Nanaimo has embraced Pride Week this year. I'm looking forward to the exciting celebrations this event will bring to our city. The Pride Parade with its joyful spirit gives everyone an opportunity to be together and celebrate our diversity. I am proud to live in a city that embraces the LGBTQ+ community and this wonderful tradition of acceptance, fun and good cheer. Many thanks to the exceptional organizers of Pride Week for your vision and hard work."

Councillor
City of Nanaimo

"I have seen many pictures of similar sidewalks symbolizing diversity and inclusiveness and am pleased to support our LGBTQ+ community in this way in our downtown core. It is a positive step forward for our community"

Councillor
City of Nanaimo

"Another huge step towards cementing Nanaimo's embracement of diversity within the community."

Councillor
City of Nanaimo

"It's an honour to be on a council that supports the LGBTQ+ community. I look forward to the festivities this year and the years to come."

Councillor
City of Nanaimo

"We are pleased with City Council's support of this year's Nanaimo Pride event and the LGBTQ+ community. We invite the entire community to join us, arm in arm, as we walk our rainbow crosswalks with a newfound sense of acceptance, of community and of pride. We are so incredibly grateful to the City for this display of support that sends a clear message that every citizen of Nanaimo is loved, is accepted and is appreciated, just the way they are. Thank you."

President
Nanaimo Pride Society

Quick Facts

  • The rainbow crosswalks are made with standard road marking paint with tints added to adjust the colour.

Images

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Contact:

David Myles
Manager, Roads & Traffic Services
City of Nanaimo
250-756-5303 Ext 5303

Print News Release

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