Editor:
Re: Not symbols of inclusivity, Aug. 8 letters.
This letter makes me very sad.
Yes, the letter write apparently doesn’t know that society has progressed and there is a call for awareness for the LGBTQ community. There is public support for a crosswalk and a flag at city hall.
The reason we do this is that there has been persecution and marginalization of LGBTQ persons that doctors, nurses, firefighters, teachers and veterans haven’t experienced unless they are LGBTQ.
I’m also puzzled that a rainbow crosswalk makes one think of sex. It makes me think about awareness and inclusivity.
Romni Carrigan, Surrey
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As a mother of a gay young man I must agree with letter-writer Rita Enns.
I didn’t ask and nor do I approve of these rainbow crosswalks.
I agree with a flag during Pride Week, just as I agree with the various military flags being flown during those appropriate times.
If teachers, RCMP, EMPs, etc. have flags, then they should be flown at the appropriate times.
But to put a permanent marker on our streets for any one group is inappropriate and frankly causes more strife than anything else.
As I said, I am a proud mom of a gay young man.
Christina Eden, Surrey
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While I support letter-writer Rita Enns in her idea to recognize various contributing members of our society, she creates a false equivalence in comparing the LGBTQ community to firefighters/veterans/doctors, etc.
The reason we have Pride days, parades and rainbow crosswalks is because the fight for a completely inclusive society is far from over.
Members of the communities supported by Pride are still fighting for the same rights and freedoms that Ms. Enns clearly enjoys.
We need more rainbows, not less. More inclusion, not less. More kindness and tolerance, not less.
Jennifer Howell, Surrey
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There have been two recent letters to the editor recently that have questioned the need for a rainbow crosswalk honouring the LGBTQ2 communities.
The writers have enquired why we don’t we have crosswalks for doctors and nurses, or veterans.
While not disputing the sacrifices these two groups make for our sakes, the LGBTQ2 communities have been a persecuted group of people for time immemorial. This is not true of the doctors/nurses or veterans.
The comparison is inappropriate in my view, although I would not oppose crosswalks or other public displays to honour doctors/nurses or veterans. In fact, we do honour our veterans with celebrations and statues all over Canada.
Not too long ago, within my lifetime, it was illegal and immoral to have a different sexual orientation than heterosexual, and it still is in many countries in the world.
Further, not so many revisions ago, homosexuality was considered a “mental disorder.” in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders that could be treated/cured.
We have come a long way in accepting differing sexual orientations and sexualities – gender neutral, transgender, etc. – in our country. Furthermore, Canada was one of the leading countries in legalizing same-sex marriage.
I believe we deserve to celebrate this open mindedness. One of the ways to do this is to have Pride crosswalks and flags and parades.
Bonnie Gillis, Surrey
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I was so pleased to read the letter to the editor from Rita Enns.
I am in full agreement with (Rita Enns’) opinion and comments and it should be reposted again – or used as a Peace Arch News article and possibly even as a “questionnaire” for readers to allow for their input as to how these decisions are made without public consultation.
As she states, recognition is totally lacking for those who have provided wonderful services to their community.
Everyone is entitled to their choice of lifestyle – but for those who do not embrace this particular choice, it should have been openly discussed and asked for the voters’ and taxpayers’ decisions.
Jean Elder, Surrey
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I for one am giving big praise to the city and council for painting this wonderful symbol of acceptance and compassion.
The mayor has clearly stated that the crosswalk is a symbol that stands against all oppression, not just one specific group.
With all the negative political news – both global and local – haters, please don’t take this one bright spot away from us. As a victim of bullying and racism suffered through my school years, I absolutely stand with city council with this one.
I would like to also warn people who might think this kind of hate-mongering is just a small percentage of the population or that it is ‘just’ a random act of vandalism – sadly, this is not the case.
Racism, bigotry, extremism, hatred and prejudice are much alive and strong in today’s society. These types of hatreds may be more subtle – people may not speak them as openly – but they are still there and just as strong.
Canada is becoming a true nation of hope and diversity. Haters, don’t take it away from us.
Colin Fletcher, White Rock
• • •
I totally agree with letter-writer Rita Enns and her well-chosen candidates for recognition of a “painted crosswalk.” Great choices!
But on page 1 of the same issue, I note the headline “Rainbow crosswalk defaced” and wonder how much this painting and cleaning is adding to the tax bill?
Maybe each group should pay for their own paint and sign a pledge to keep their “colours” maintained.
Rita, I admire you!
Marie Filuk, Surrey
• • •
Letter-writer Rita Enns states she doesn’t want to be reminded when she sees a rainbow-painted sidewalk or a rainbow flag, as it reminds her of the “actions” she doesn’t want to be reminded of i.e., “of others having sex in any way” by a symbol that represents LGBT pride, LGBT social movements and the diversity of its community.
It’s sad that this symbol didn’t remind her foremost of the past and present plight and accomplishments of these folk, which include LGBT folk that were and are nurses, doctors, police, teachers, firefighters and veterans, to name a few.
Well, at least she supports these members of our society “having their crosswalk as well.”
Robert Soulikias, White Rock
• • •
Kudos to Rita Enns.
I couldn’t agree with her more and have often thought of writing such a letter myself but “chickened out” in these days of political correctness.
Pauline Chang, White Rock
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Regarding letter-writer Rita Enns’ tirade about rainbow crosswalks and her obvious inability to accept Canadian society in 2018, I have one response.
It is a crosswalk. Get over it.
Ian Routledge, White Rock
• • •
I did not agree with the cost of the rainbow crosswalk being paid by the city. I’ve decided to enjoy its beauty anyway.
Whether you agreed or disagreed with the city’s decision, let’s not increase its cost by vandalism, which costs money to correct.
Jenny Corenblum, White Rock
• • •
The rainbow crosswalk is indeed a symbol of inclusivity. It celebrates and welcomes all types of diversity with no connection to the topic of sex. If seeing a rainbow (symbol) reminds Rita of other people’s sexual acts, she has missed the point.
As a longtime high school teacher and counsellor, I have never heard of any student being harassed for wanting to be a doctor, firefighter, military member, EMT, etc.
I have never heard any parents state “We will not have a nurse, police officer, etc. in our family.” I have heard “we will not have a gay son in our family.”
The new crosswalk is for all the veterans, medical professionals and teachers (especially the ones who experienced racism, sexism and homophobia), as all of us need to work toward a fully inclusive society where no one is marginalized.
I have lived in White Rock/South Surrey for 26 years and the peninsula is a great place to live.
However, the terrible defacement of the crosswalk is just an example of how continued education in inclusivity is necessary.
Lastly, if all of the helping professions desire a crosswalk (and I don’t think they do), then imagine how colourful White Rock would be.
Elizabeth Hadley, Surrey
