Drivers, cyclists and pedestrians in town yesterday morning found themselves traversing Gisborne's first Rainbow Pride crossing. The colourful crossing was painted across Gladstone Road in the block between Bright and Grey streets on Monday night.
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The Rainbow Pride Crossing marks a partnership between the Tairāwhiti Rainbow Collective and Te Kaunihera o Te Tairāwhiti (Gisborne District Council).
It has been installed to affirm and celebrate Tairāwhiti's diverse rainbow communities and raise awareness about the discrimination and abuse rainbow people can experience. It also signals that the Gisborne District Council is working toward creating a region that is safe, inclusive and supportive of its diverse communities.
Gisborne Mayor Rehette Stoltz said as a council they wanted to be inclusive to diverse communities. The Rainbow Pride crossing was one step they could take to achieve that.
“It is the first Rainbow Pride crossing in Gisborne and only the fourth one in New Zealand,” she said.
“We support the project and kids will enjoy it as well. We are sending a message that we are supportive of our rainbow communities and it is also fun.
“We support the collective because everyone in Tairāwhiti deserves to live a life which is good and wholesome. I am supportive of diversity and inclusiveness.”
Tairāwhiti Rainbow Collective chair Dr Jill Chrisp said the kaupapa was about acknowledging the presence of about 2500 LGBTQIA+ whānau in Tairāwhiti.
“We want to both celebrate rainbow people and also recognise that, for many, discrimination and abuse is an everyday experience.
“Progress will only be made when it is community-led and in partnership with others. We are proud of our local government leaders for supporting us. They heard our call and just got on with it. We look forward to our ongoing collaboration.”
Race Relations Commissioner Meng Foon congratulated the Gisborne District Council and Tairāwhiti Rainbow Collective for the initiative.
“It is a human right to be who you are. Nobody should discriminate against anybody in terms of their race, colour, creed, gender, religion and sexual orientation.
“The Rainbow Pride crossing is an example of leadership in Gisborne. Right now it is the first crossing and maybe we will have some more.
“To Rainbow Collective in Tairāwhiti — stand tall, be true to who you are and spread love. Other people too, share your love by understanding, respect and knowledge.”
Gisborne District Council journeys operation manager for roading Donna McArthur said their team was 100 percent behind the project.
“A report went to our leadership team and there was no hesitation. It was supported that we take action on it as soon as we possibly could.
“We had our contractors ready to do the red crossings before Christmas. They came on board with the rainbow crossing idea. It's here permanently.
“The paint will last for up to three years and every two years we will redo it.
Qmunity Youth Gisborne chairperson and Gisborne Girls' High School year 11 student Henarata Kohere-Pishief said the crossing was really cool because it helped make the LGBTQIA+ community feel supported and not alone.
“I think this gesture is monumental. It is not just a colourful piece of road, it is a symbol and a sign. It is representative of who we are.”
Tairawhiti Diversity Liaison Officer and a founding member of the Tairawhiti Rainbow Collective Whiti Timutimu said it took three years to get to this day.
“This is one of many things we are proactively promoting and doing as a little group of volunteers.
“I am pretty stoked about how it turned out. It means any rangatahi or whānau takatāpui living in Tairāwhiti will feel included, embraced and uplifted when they come to this crossing.
“They will know rainbow communities are supported by Gisborne District Council and other government agencies.”
Tairāwhiti Police area commander Sam Aberahama said as a member of the Tairāwhiti Rainbow Collective, he thought the partnership was awesome.
“To be a part of celebrations for the Rainbow Pride crossing is tremendous. It's about accepting our diverse community. I think we have opened it up for future generations.”
“We have four generations here today and we have opened the doors to Tairāwhiti rainbow communities. Let's keep going.”
Filmed and Edited by
Ben Cowper
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