York Regional Police have unveiled a new rainbow crosswalk at the Community Safety Village in Whitchurch-Stouffville in celebration of Pride Month.
“We are dedicated to creating safe, welcoming and accepting spaces for members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community,” says Chief Jim MacSween. “By creating a rainbow crosswalk at the Community Safety Village, we are bringing visibility and support to 2SLGBTQ+ individuals.”
Unveiled on June 18, the rainbow crosswalk symbolizes acceptance and inclusion. “With high rates of homelessness, suicide and attempted suicide in the 2SLGBTQ+ youth community, it is more important than ever that young people know they will be welcomed for who they are at our Safety Village,” says Const. Laura Nicolle.
Together with the Human Rights Education classroom – which opened at the Community Safety Village in 2020 – the rainbow crosswalk raises awareness and supports broader education in human rights, peace building, global citizenship, equity and inclusion, she notes. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 40,000 students attended the Community Safety Village annually.
Pictured is a screenshot of the new rainbow crosswalk from York Regional Police’s Facebook page.
