By James Peters

TWO & OUT

PETERS: Let’s stop calling Kamloops Pride a ‘special interest group’

Aug 23, 2019 | 10:50 AM

WHEN THE IDEA OF FUNDING A RAINBOW CROSSWALK came forward to Kamloops council a couple of weeks back, it was unanimously supported by those around the table.

But before they voted yes, several councillors expressed concern about precedent.

They said they didn’t want funding for a Kamloops Pride request to open the door for other “special interest groups” to come to council with their hands out.

There are a few problems with that.

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First, precedent across the province and all over the world is now on the side of introducing rainbow crosswalks specifically.

As a councillor, I’d be more concerned with being the community that says no.

Second, councillors are elected to make decisions, and if they want to vote against previous precedent, it’s their prerogative to do that.

But the aspect of that discussion we really need to refute is the idea that Kamloops Pride is a special interest group.

When we think of special interest groups, we think of service organizations, hobby clubs or religious communities.

In each case, these are groups of which one chooses to be a part, and by which one chooses to be represented.

You can choose to be a part of Kamloops Pride, yes, but the organization represents an entire segment of our community who don’t necessarily attend monthly meetings or organize fundraisers.

LGBTQ2S+ people are a demographic minority born into a world of discrimination and harassment.

Laws have been put in place to ensure equality, but in real life, there is still a long way to go.

A rainbow crosswalk is a symbol of this city’s recognition and inclusion of the pride community.

It’s a gesture that is not warranted or required for hobby clubs and service organizations — but is fully warranted for the LGBTQ2S+ community.

That’s why Kamloops Pride does not belong under the umbrella of so-called special interest groups. We should stop calling it one.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group.