Some people on social media are saying the crosswalk is a revered international symbol in support of the community

DELTA (NEWS 1130) – Rainbow crosswalks are becoming a regular sight in the Lower Mainland, but it looks like Delta may be taking a different approach to recognizing the LGBTQ+ community. The city’s Community Liveability Advisory Committee wants to build rainbow benches, but not everybody is happy with the alternative plan.

Some people on social media say the crosswalk is a revered international symbol in support of the community and benches won’t be the same.

“I respect certainly the lived experience of the LGBTQ community,” Coun. Dylan Kruger said.

Kruger says he’s watched crosswalks get vandalized in other communities and he thinks benches in public areas like recreation centres will help, while still being inclusive.

“There were a couple different ideas behind the benches,” Kruger said. “We wanted to see if we could do something a little bit different in Delta to set us apart. The second being just because of the cost, because benches are cheaper to do than crosswalks, we could actually install more of them across the community. Benches are also practical – we’re buying benches anyway. I really see the benefit as being able to do more of them faster. It’s a visual symbol that our community centres are open to everybody and it was a bit of a less expensive thing to do.”

The committee also approved staff recommendations to acknowledge community inclusion events and celebrations, review and update city policies while offering sensitivity and language training to city employees, and having an annual city budget of $10,000 to $15,000 for diversity initiatives.

The plans, along with the benches, still need to be approved by council.