Photo: Kate Bouey

Vernon city council has agreed to have an eight-colour rainbow crosswalk painted on 30th Avenue in the downtown, in front of Nolan's Pharmacy. Work should be done early next spring.

In a 6-1 vote, council threw their support behind the idea, first presented by resident Travis Irmen.

“We're standing united as a city. We will not stand for intolerance,” said Coun. Dalvir Nahal.

Only Coun. Scott Anderson opposed the plan.

In a lengthy statement to council, Anderson called it one of the most divisive issues in the city that he has ever encountered.

“Everyone understands the rainbow symbol was adopted by the LGBTQ community so that's a flag,” Anderson said. “There are literally hundreds of symbols for diversity without this being weighted to an ideologically-charged issue.

“Imagine if a Christian or Islamic group asked us to paint their symbols on the street.”

But Nahal rejected Anderson's argument, stating the rainbow was “about being inclusive.”

Nahal suggested Anderson was “a middle-aged white male who hadn't faced discrimination in his life.”

Coun. Brian Quiring said the city did put up Christian symbols, including the lighting of a Christmas tree in the downtown.

Coun. Juliette Cunningham said her daughter was gay and she was in full support of the sidewalk.

“If people say I have a special interest, I totally do.”

Mayor Akbal Mund considers the crosswalk to be art.

Mund said he's spoken with a Legion member who has suggested four poppies crossing the street to the Cenotaph and agreed there could be other groups approaching council with ideas.

The mayor also confirmed there had been a lot of mail about the issue of rainbow crosswalk, both for and against.

The crosswalk is not expected to cost the city anything as businessman Tim Rayner of Caliber Sport Systems Inc. has offered to fund the painting.

There was also majority support for Coun. Bob Spiers' suggestion to also go with a staff recommendation that would see a rainbow pathway between 31st and 32nd avenues if Rayner wants to foot the bill.

“I think it's an amazing first step...for being inclusive and accepting everybody for who they are,” said Irmen, who attended the council meeting.