Nanaimo Regional General Hospital will paint pride colours outside its front entrance to show commitment to inclusive healthcare.
Island Health announced in a press release that it is celebrating Pride with a decision to paint rainbow crosswalks at three Vancouver Island hospitals, including NRGH.
The traditional pride rainbow, along with black and brown stripes to recognize LGBTQ communities of colour, will be painted lengthwise along a crosswalk through the hospital’s front parking lot, according to an e-mail from Island Health.
The health authority said in the release that rainbow crosswalks demonstrate a commitment to improve diversity and inclusion for LGBTQ patients, clients, staff and volunteers.
“Island Health is committed to addressing discrimination against people because of who they are or whom they love,” said Leah Hollins, Island Health board chairwoman, in the release. “Rainbow sidewalks make this commitment visible and recognize the diversity and inclusivity of the LGBTQ2S+ community.”
Island Health noted in the release that it has an organizational commitment to recognizing and addressing discrimination and knows it has more work to do.
“I see the power of Pride to create safety, inclusion and community,” said Nicole Tremblay, a member of Island Health’s Pride working group, formed last year. “To feel the support of allies and organizations makes LGBTQ2S+ people remember that there is understanding, there is respect, there is acceptance and the belief that love will win.”
Rainbow crosswalks will also being painted at Royal Jubilee Hospital and North Island Comox Valley Hospital and the work is slated to be completed by the end of August.
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