TRURO, N.S. – Tara Spicer feels having the rainbow flag raised at Cobequid Educational Centre will help make a lot of students feel more accepted.
“It’s a really big step and it means a lot to me,” said the Grade 12 student. “This is the first year it’s happened. I think about those who were here years ago, and I wish everyone had the opportunity to be part of something like this. It makes people feel more accepted for who they are.”
On Monday, she helped paint, and cut the ribbon to open the rainbow crosswalk, which runs from the school to Colchester Legion Stadium.
A rainbow flag raising was also held during the kickoff for the school’s Pride Week.
“I think this went spectacularly well,” said Jason Riemersma, student leader of the CEC Gay Straight Alliance (GSA). “It’s not wrong to be who you are, and that’s what we’re trying to show this week.”
During a short speech before the flag was raised, Riemersma said this is a week for LGBTQ+ people and others to come together and support one another.
“We have made significant progress but there is still plenty of progress to be made. Far too often, LGBTQ-plus people feel they must hide or suppress who they are, just to feel safe. Every moment and every movement that they make comes to the level of calculation to see if they feel safe in that moment.
“In raising this flag, CEC is showing that is not wrong, it’s not immoral and it’s not disgusting to be true to your gender, to be true to your sexuality, to be true to who you are.”
Bryant Vance, teacher advisor with the GSA, said without the efforts of past GSAs and students, an event like a rainbow flag raising wouldn’t be possible at the school today.
A variety of events for students and staff are taking place at the school during the week.
