#6 - Rainbow crosswalks

Photo: Carmen Weld

Castanet is counting down the top stories of 2015, today is No. 6 – the fallout from the City of Kelowna's introduction of a set of rainbow crosswalks. We'll count down the top 10 to Dec. 31 and feature our newsmaker of the year on Jan. 1.

A City of Kelowna initiative to promote inclusivity and acceptance of the LGBTQ community divided the city between those who approve of multicoloured crosswalks and those who don’t.

Four rainbow crosswalks popped up at the Lawrence Avenue and Pandosy Street intersection on August 6.

The crosswalks were introduced to “celebrate diversity” according to the city and to visually demonstrate its spirit of inclusivity.

While many supported the initiative, others were less excited by the idea.

“For city officials to succumb to the gay community and push this gay agenda in the name of inclusion when it is so offensive to so many is not a wise decision,” wrote Ron R. in the comments of Castanet’s story.

Others were concerned their tax dollars had been used on the change.

The crosswalks arrived the week prior to Kelowna’s Pride Parade, which was led by Mayor Colin Basran.

The Okanagan Pride Society said they weren’t surprised by some of the negative reaction, but felt it was unfair.

“The idea that it is being shoved down people's throats, I think, is a very unfair statement,” said the society's Wilbur Turner. “(The crosswalk) is a sign that Kelowna is growing and accepting diversity and just adds a richer element to our city.” 

One Kelowna woman was particularly passionate in opposing the crosswalks. Nancy Enns, a real estate agent in Lake Country, contacted Castanet on August 18 and explained she was willing to go to the Supreme Court of Canada to get the crosswalks removed if it was necessary.

Enns said the crosswalks promote a lifestyle she doesn’t support and they are discriminatory against other lifestyles.

“Council has opened up a whole can of worms ... they don't know what they're doing. This is not good,” said Enns. “This could go to a lot of places they don't want to go.”

The city responded to Enns’ complaints with a letter, encouraging residents to be inclusive, accepting and welcoming.

"We will not be painting over the rainbow crosswalk with white paint," the letter concluded.

Enns’ story became Castanet’s most-read article of 2015, garnering over 112,000 views and almost 700 comments.

Many of the commenters did not agree with Enns’ position

In an open letter posted on the Okanagan Pride Society’s website, Wilbur Turner said Enns’ comments against the crosswalks have actually brought people together in support of them.

"What you have done is bring people together in a mass and loud outpouring to defend this idea,” Turner wrote. “You have helped raise the issue that there is still discrimination toward the LGBTQ community, a demonstration of fear fed by ignorance.”

Enns was not able to discuss her current progress with her case against the crosswalks by publication time. 

Come back tomorrow to read No. 5 in our top 10 countdown. Read all the stories as they're posted on our Top Stories of 2015 page.