Last weekend Nelson Police Chief Paul Burkart helped paint the rainbow crosswalk outside his office for the third year in a row, demonstrating his commitment to creating an inclusive community.
That means a lot to Pride organizer Stephanie Myers, who is preparing a community-wide celebration with six days of events aimed at battling homophobia and celebrating diversity.
“I don’t think it can be underestimated, what that means to everybody to see the police chief out there doing that of his own volition, on his day off,” Pride organizer Stephanie Myers told the Star.
“It makes me want to cry.”
The crosswalk was first painted covertly by teenagers in the community, but when the cops caught them in the act they decided to help them rather than chastise them. That was the beginning of an annual tradition that’s seen Burkart trying to figure out the best way to keep the colours vibrant.
This year he was assisted in the endeavour by Nelson residents Sofia Arcuri, Bella Guderyan, Layla Precious and Owen Box.
“Being a police officer in a community like this means we’re doing community policing. We’re not just doing 911 calls. We do our fair share, 1,500 calls a year, but that’s not all we do — we need to be involved in this, and the issues with this,” he said.
“We’ve seen hate crimes. We’ve seen members of our community targeted. It’s important we’re here saying that we’re part of the solution. We want to make sure everybody in this community is accepted.”
This year the paint was donated by Nelson Farmer’s Supply.
Pride will kick off on Wednesday with a drag king workshop at Touchstones at 5:30 p.m. and a cat walk inspirational dance class at 6:30 p.m. That will be followed by sex toy bingo at Mike’s Place and a film screening at Reo’s Movie Emporium at 7:30 p.m.
On Thursday there will be multiple film screenings at Reo’s, then a fruit float at Painted Rock at 2:30 p.m. before the meet and greet on Friday, which will be hosted by Finley’s Bar and Grill starting at 6 p.m. There will be concerts at Finley’s and Bloom that night.
On Saturday there will be a noon coffee house at Expressions Cafe. The Pride parade starts at 3 p.m. on Sunday, followed by a dance party and a screening of The Birdcage at the Civic at 7 p.m.
The final event will be Mimosa Monday at the Hume Library Lounge on Monday.
To get involved with Pride, contact Myers by email at stephaniemyersfundraising@gmail.com. News and events will be posted on the Kootenay Pride Facebook page.