Photo Credit: Contributed

The President of the Okanagan Pride Society feels the point behind the rainbow crosswalks in Kelowna has been lost and the negative comments coming forward could hurt a lot of youth in the LGBTQ community.

Debate about the rainbow crosswalks has not died down since they were unveiled on August 6th at the intersection of Lawrence and Pandosy.

Wilbur Turner, President of the Okanagan Pride Society, says he has read numerous online comments from people who are disgusted with the colourful addition to the heart of downtown Kelowna.

“I think it’s sad that someone has totally misinterpreted what they stand for and what they mean,” said Turner. “There is nothing in there that says it is for the LGBTQ community. It is a symbol of inclusion. It’s a statement that Kelowna is an inclusive and progressive community.”

Turner fears that the negative comments made about the crosswalks could have a damaging effect to vulnerable youth within the LGBTQ community, adding that they need people who will stand behind them and beside them to “let them know that it is okay to be different, who they are, and who they were born to be.”

“The rate of suicide among the LGBTQ youth is much higher than in the straight population,” said Turner. "It is simply because of these kinds of things that happen, they don’t feel supported or safe. They feel really discouraged. It is important that we put out a positive message that this is a great place to live, you will be supported here, and that it’s okay to be who you are.”

One person who is speaking out against the rainbow crosswalks is Kelowna resident Nancy Enns.

“I feel discriminated. I feel they are forcing a lifestyle on me that I do not support, I do not approve of, and I’m not interested in. Not only did they do that, they did it on my clock, and on my dime.”

Enns wants the rainbow crosswalks removed and plans to take the issue to court if she can.

“This opens up a whole can of worms. If they’re going to be so-called impartial and inclusive, then they better be prepared to do 2,001 crosswalks because there are a lot of different lifestyles out there. If you’re going to pay homage to one, you better be prepared to pay homage to 1,000 of them.”

Photo Credit: KelownaNow.com

Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran has also started to receive a few negative phone calls and anonymous messages via social media about the rainbow crosswalks, but says “the messages of support far outweigh the messages that are negative.”

According to Basran, the city is not getting rid of the rainbow crosswalks.

“I’m not doing this for any political gain. I’m doing this because I feel this is what is right for our community. That’s the bottom line for me,” said Basran. “This is what is right for our community, in my opinion, and I’m not going to let a few anonymous, negative messages sway me in a different direction.”

The rainbow colours are a symbol to the LGBTQ community, first appearing in 1978. Each colour stands for something different. Red means life, orange stands for feeling, yellow for sunlight, green for nature, blue for serenity/harmony, and violet for spirit.