Rainbow crosswalk bridges differences between UFV and Pride Collective
The installation of a rainbow crosswalk signifies — and has made — considerable progress for both UFV and members of the Pride Collective. The crosswalk, located in front of Abbotsford’s A building, was laid down in order to represent both the attempts UFV has made to make the institution a safe, welcoming place while still a reminder that more can be done to improve the quality of experience at UFV.
The idea for the crosswalk, initially opposed by members of the Pride Collective, came about in discussions had by UFV faculty members on how to represent the inclusive and safe environment that UFV hopes to model.
“How do we signal that Abbotsford and UFV is a welcoming, inclusive, and diverse place?” asked Kyle Baillie, director of student life and development, looking back at the process undergone leading towards the crosswalk. “[The timing] also happened to coincide with the fact that we had just done major renovations to that space,” he added, referring to the wheelchair accessible entrance added this past year.
Although UFV and Student Services believed they had good intentions, Charlie Steele, former vice president and current member of the Pride Collective, commented that Pride originally felt the crosswalk misrepresented the institution and their relationship with the Pride community.
“[We] didn’t actually support the crosswalk when the idea came up initially because we hadn’t actually seen any changes that the university was making,” Steele explained, saying that “the problems that we all had from the beginning, we still had, at the time.”
Some of these issues included allowing preferred name and gender marker changes through OReg for class attendance lists and UFV emails, as well as disagreement between UFV and Pride on signage for, and layouts of gender neutral bathrooms across the campus. However, after meeting on multiple occasions with Pride, Kyle Baillie and UFV were able to acknowledge their complaints.
Because the message UFV was hoping to send was that of respect and openness for all students, the Pride Collective’s concerns were heard and addressed, some of which have already been met. UFV’s extension of the olive branch towards the Pride Collective was enough for them to come to terms with the intentions of the institution.
“We all voted unanimously the first time to say no we don’t support it and we all voted unanimously to say yeah we support it now; it actually looks like they’re making an effort,” said Steele.
Although it was primarily the Pride Collective who engaged in discussions about the crosswalk with UFV, the intended purpose of the rainbow is to promote inclusion for everybody.
Cameron Roy, director of ancillary services, noted that the goal of the crosswalk is “to support the safety of all students, not necessarily a specific segment of the population” — a distinction that implies that this isn’t necessarily for one group but for everybody on campus.
In the past, rainbow crosswalks have been met with mixed feelings and uncertainty.
“There’s groups that may not agree, but this is an institution of higher learning, and with higher learning, it speaks of tolerance and respect for everyone,” said Cameron Roy.
Now that the rainbow crosswalk has been painted and communication between involved parties has increased, UFV looks forward to more opportunities to grow in its awareness of student comfort.
“We can always do more,” said Baillie. “It’s a celebration, but it’s aspirational as well.”
As a bridge purposed to remove barriers and welcome all individuals, UFV’s first rainbow crosswalk sets up a strong standard for inclusivity.
“They made positive changes and commitments to make more,” said Steele. “I think UFV itself earned its crosswalk.”
