News the town council in Springdale turned down installing a rainbow crosswalk near Indian River High left Vinn Elliott and Jessie Lawrence wondering what the heck was up.
Rather than react without knowing what was going on, the members of the Corner Brook Regional High Pride Alliance took it upon themselves to get more information.
“I was quite confused,” said 17-year-old Elliott. “I understand that it is a smaller town and things like that, but I really had to learn more about it before I could make an opinion on it.”
Elliott, who is in Level 3, was in Springdale for a drama festival when the news broke last weekend and was able to talk with some of Indian River High’s Gender Sexuality Alliance members and with others in the community.
From those discussions, he feels the decision didn’t come from a place of hate and was a quick decision made by the council.
That’s something Lawrence 15, is also getting from her research
The Level 1 student also said it wasn’t just one person’s decision.
“I feel like it might have come from not knowing the impact it could have, perhaps,” she said.
The rainbow crosswalks are associated with the Pride movement and seeing them around is affirming for her as it shows the province is moving in a direction of acceptance and peace.
For Lawrence it’s about feeling safe in the community and when she goes to school.
“I think it has the power to really show people that they are accepted here and that they can be here without fear and without judgement.”
While they may be “little tiny tokens of acceptance,” Elliott agrees they are important.
“I think for anybody to go into a school (and) maybe look at a door and see a little rainbow sticker, that shows OK I’m accepted here.
“So, to have the crosswalk in front of the high school not only does it create that really lovely sense of acceptance, like OK I’m here now and I know I’m safe here, it’s just really nice.”
He told some of the members of the Indian River High Gender Sexuality Alliance that the fact they were strong enough to open up the discussion is going to have a positive impact for years to come.
Whether the crosswalk is put there now or it’s put there in five years, Elliott said it’s extremely empowering that they did it.
The Springdale council is reviewing the request and the Corner Brook students hope that leads to a positive outcome and a crosswalk will be installed at the school.
If not Lawrence is sure there’s a reason for that, but is still grateful the discussion has been opened in a community that it might not have been for another few years.
“Having that discussion is powerful.”
