Support growing for rainbow crosswalk in Langley
Posted January 25, 2021 4:28 pm.
Last Updated January 25, 2021 7:21 pm.
LANGLEY (NEWS 1130) – The president of a group that supports LGBTQ2S+ members of law enforcement says a new rainbow crosswalk in Langley will send an important message about inclusion.
Speaking for Out on Patrol, Const. Chris Birkett says they support the installation and maintenance of a rainbow crosswalk in the Langley Township between the school board office and the Langley RCMP detachment near 222 Street and 48A Avenue.
Today on @NEWS1130: it’s a project getting support from @OutOnPatrol: a #rainbowcrosswalk connecting @LangleyRCMP to the Langley School Board’s office. We’re hearing from @OutOnPatrolPres Chris Birkett who says it’s a great show of support for the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
— Ria Renouf (@riarenouf) January 25, 2021
Birkett says the Langley School Foundation hopes to raise $12,000 for the crosswalk’s installation and maintenance.
“It’s a great initiative that we were happy to support, given the symbolic nature of it, showing that not only the Langley RCMP and police, but also the school district is really supportive of their kids that might identify as members of the community. And just the overall support for the 2SLGBTQ+ community,” Birkett tells NEWS 1130.
Birkett is pleased to see projects like this emerge in communities around the region.
“This is the first time we’ve supported a cause like this, however, we are starting to see more and more of these pop up around the Lower Mainland. Just most recently, in West Vancouver outside of the West Vancouver Police Department, they installed one last year and we were involved in the unveiling of the project, and obviously just supportive of it. And we’re happy to get involved wherever we can,” Birkett says.
It'll cost about $12,000 to install & maintain the crosswalk between the @LangleyRCMP building & the School Board's office. Donations are being accepted online (scroll about midway down the page) #langleybc: https://t.co/wDyOIcYih0 pic.twitter.com/o0nRWSvNv0
— Ria Renouf ???? (@riarenouf) January 25, 2021
Birket hasn’t heard of any naysayers around this specific project – and believes there has been a lot of positive support for the crosswalk.
“There’s always the few people that aren’t super supportive of the project for one reason or another, however, overwhelmingly, it seems like the community is just getting more and more accepting and just supportive. I think overall, they’ve been welcome additions.”
A write-up on the Langley School District Foundations’s website says the project will serve as a way to visually demonstrate a commitment to supporting diversity and inclusion for the community.
“Inclusive learning environments have been proven to reduce discrimination, suicidal ideation and suicide attempts for all students. As well, it creates a positive and welcoming space for our community while also letting the LGBTQ+ population know that their greater community supports them,” the statement says.
Those interested in donating can do so on the school district’s website.
