Support grows for Newfoundland students in town that nixed a rainbow crosswalk

SPRINGDALE, N.L. — There’s growing support for students who made another pitch to town councillors after they voted down a rainbow crosswalk in Springdale, N.L., unleashing fierce debate.

But there was no hint Tuesday if or when the request for a widely embraced symbol of inclusion will be reconsidered. 

Three teenagers from Indian River High School’s Gender-Sexuality Alliance spoke at Monday night’s council meeting. They hoped to convince local politicians to reverse their decision.

Christina Pelley, one of the group’s teacher sponsors, said the three girls discussed everything from statistics on mental health and LGBTQ youth, to what a rainbow crosswalk represents.

“They did a fantastic job and whatever happens, it’s a positive for those girls and for the entire group,” she said Tuesday. “There are a lot of conversations that have been started — important conversations that will keep going no matter what the result is, whether we get our rainbow crosswalk or not.”

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Councillors didn’t vote on the presentation.

Lorinda Goudie, administrative assistant for the Town of Springdale, said Tuesday there is no follow-up meeting planned.

She said it’s not known if or when there will be another vote on the crosswalk. No one from the council was immediately available to comment.

Earlier this month, the council voted four to three against painting the crosswalk — something that has been done across the country as a symbol of welcome and support for the LGBTQ community.

Mayor Dave Edison, who cast the deciding vote, told a local Nor’Wester reporter he does not discriminate against anyone.

“I am just worried that, while they are asking for this to show inclusion, I think it is actually going to create a division,” he said. “I have had people speak to me already about not wanting to see it there. I don’t want to create that (animosity) in town.”

Prominent Newfoundlanders ridiculed the rejection on social media.

“If you’re a LGBTQ kid in Springdale, please know that there are a whole lot of people in Newfoundland and Labrador that support you,” tweeted comedian Mark Critch, anchor of CBC’s “This Hour Has 22 Minutes.”

“Inclusion never divides. Your mayor is being a tool. You’re awesome.”

The crosswalk cause is taking on a life of its own online. A Go Fund Me page dubbed “Paint the Town Gay!” had raised more than double its $500 goal by Tuesday afternoon.

“Monies raised will cover the cost of paint supplies so the town doesn’t have to worry about taxpayer dollars,” said Adam Elliott, who created the account Friday. He posted that he’s from rural Newfoundland and Labrador but now lives in Sydney, N.S.

Adrian Brett, who grew up in Springdale, has so far collected more than 3,000 signatures on an online petition he launched Friday, urging his hometown to approve the rainbow.

“I was really taken aback when I heard about their decision because I don’t feel that reflects the majority of the people who actually live in Springdale.”

Brett said the town of about 3,000 people includes a mix of Pentecostal and more “liberal Christian” groups.

“Acceptance and tolerance and a willingness to include others was a good thing,” he said of his upbringing. “It was something to be celebrated and encouraged.”

Brett said if council is stalling, hoping the issue will go away, it won’t.

“They need to realize that they’re now under a bit of a national microscope,” he said from Victoria, B.C., where he works as an urban planner.

“It’s time that council wake up and realize it’s 2018, and they have a decision to make. I hope they make the right one.”

—By Sue Bailey in St. John’s and Alison Auld in Halifax.

Follow @suebailey and @alison_auld on Twitter.

The Canadian Press