City of Burlington Recognizes Pride Month with Banners Along Brant Street
MAYOR MEED WARD'S TAKE:Seeing visual representations of support like our Rainbow Crosswalks and our new Pride banners can mean a lot to members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community in #BurlON. While great strides and positive change have taken place, those who identify as LGBTQIA2S+ still face hardships, discrimination, hate and violence for simply being true to themselves. We will continue to do everything we can to ensure #BurlON is a welcoming, inclusive and safe city for everyone who lives and visits here.
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*Please see below a news release issued by the City of Burlington.Burlington, Ont. — May 24, 2022 — The City of Burlington has installed new Pride Banners in recognition and celebration of Burlington’s LGBTQ2S+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, TwoSpirit) community for the month of June, which is Pride Month.Pride Month is a time when we celebrate the diversity in the LGBTQ2S+ communities, acknowledge their history, the hardships they have endured, and the progress that has been made.The banners were designed in consultation with representatives from the LGBTQ2S+ community and are installed along Brant Street from Fairview Street to Ghent Avenue. They are part of the City’s Pride recognition and are in addition to the four Rainbow Crosswalks installed around the City.The four Rainbow Crosswalks are located at:
- Lakeshore Road at Burlington Avenue
- Upper Middle Road at M.M. Robinson school entrance
- Fairview Street and Drury Lane
- Plains Road West and Botanical Drive
The Lakeshore Road Rainbow Crosswalk location was selected by a committee of representatives from organizations from the LGBTQ2S+ community. This was the City’s first Rainbow Crosswalk and was installed and unveiled in June 2020.At the June 22, 2021 Burlington City Council meeting, Council voted to fund three more rainbow crosswalks. Council approved up to $50,000 from the Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve Fund for the installation of the three rainbow crosswalks in 2021. The locations were chosen using survey feedback that asked the community to choose their top six locations from a list developed in consultation with council members and members of the former rainbow crosswalk team. City staff reviewed the six locations to determine the three locations that were installed in 2021.These three locations did not winter well and have sustained damage. The defects in the crosswalk material has resulted in parts of the rainbow crosswalk coming away from the pavement. This damage is being repaired under warranty at no cost to the City and will be done when ideal repair conditions are met. The material used in the rainbow crosswalks needs the road to be dry with mild overnight temperatures above 10 degrees Celsius.
Pride Rainbow BannersThe Street Banner Program will include Pride rainbow themed banners along major streets in Burlington. These rainbow crosswalks and banners will be important features and key landmarks geographically and socially for the city.
"The start of June next week marks the beginning of Pride Month. This is an opportunity for us to celebrate diversity in the LGBTQ2S+ communities and for Burlington to make sure it continues to focus on equity, diversity and inclusion in our city. It is also a time to learn more about and understand their journey, including their history, adversities, and accomplishments towards positive change.As a community, this is our chance to consider the ways we can contribute to be an active ally to LGBTQ2S+ communities throughout the year and not just in June." -- Chris Glenn, Director of Recreation, Community & Culture, City of Burlington
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--*Posted by John Bkila, Mayor's Media and Digital Communications Specialist