Members of the RDC Students' Association, Pride on Campus, and Central Alberta Pride Society were very excited to unveil a new rainbow crosswalk at Red Deer College on Friday. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

under the rainbow

RDC crosswalk unveiling helps launch Central Alberta Pride Week

Aug 7, 2020 | 11:33 AM

Pride Week in Central Alberta unofficially kicked off for another year on Friday.

Most of the week’s events will be virtual in nature, but community members met at Red Deer College Friday morning for the traditional raising of the Pride flag and unveiling of a new rainbow crosswalk.

“I can’t necessarily speak on behalf of an LGBTQ2S+ individual and their experiences, but I really am hoping that our pride crosswalk is well received by the Red Deer community, and I think generally it will be,” said Brittany Lausen, president, RDC Students’ Association. “The people who’ve known about this, I think they see it as a larger gesture than just raising the flag in terms of showing that Red Deer College and the students’ association are committed to making sure the college is inclusive and a safe place for the LGBTQ2S+ community.”

Ardin Brownlee, a member of Pride on Campus, said gestures like the flag and crosswalk indeed make him feel more comfortable attending RDC.

“People come from all over the world to attend RDC and having these small gestures can have such a large impact on them,” he said. “It may be a little different this year because of the global pandemic, but despite that, we’re coming together. You’re allowed to be who you are at Red Deer College. All of these big and little things help push progress in the right direction even though there’s still a long ways to go.”

RESPONSIBILITIES OF A TRUSTEE ADDRESSED

Day 2 of LaGrange v. Red Deer Catholic: "This is not about cancel culture," says division counsel

14h ago

conducted energy weapon utilized

RCMP arrest man after confrontation inside Bower Place

17h ago

one suspect still sought

One charged after alleged armed robbery in Bower Place parking lot

17h ago

Brownlee added that one thing Pride on Campus has been pushing for over a long period of time is more gender-neutral washrooms, only one of which exists.

As for the crosswalk, the SA paid for half the cost of the paint, while the rest was donated by Cloverdale Paint. RDC provided the labour for installation.

Meantime, Central Alberta Pride Society isn’t letting COVID-19 stop them from putting on a week’s worth of activities designed to promote LGBTQ2S+ inclusion and education.

“The message, goal and mission remains the same as it always has and the importance behind our work comes from the same place of love and support as well as a want to better our community and stand in solidarity with everyone under the rainbow,” says Shannon Humphrey, CAPS board member.

“Current events and the state of the world has put a spotlight on organizations that do this type of work, education, and advocacy and gives us an even more powerful and public platform.”

First up, a church service will be held August 9 at Gaetz Memorial United Church, before a virtual Pride Week proclamation on Facebook the same day.

The following days will include drag make-up tutorials, fun with flags, a fireside chat about sexual health, and even virtual Pride in the Park on August 15, among other things.

A virtual drag show, in lieu of the always popular ticketed event, will also be held August 16.

“With everything going on in the world today, it proves even more why we have to be united and continue to fight for the marginalized individuals in our community and beyond,” adds CAPS board member Corey King. “Pride is a time to celebrate diversity and although the message of Pride remains the same, the meaning behind it has become even more important.”

A full list of Central Alberta Pride Week activities can be found on our Events Calendar.

RELATED: Pride crosswalk in downtown Red Deer becomes permanent