Rainbow stairs coming soon to UBC Okanagan

KELOWNA – The UBC Okanagan Students' Union will spend $3,000 to paint a set of campus stairs in rainbow colours in support of the LGBT community.

The stairs at the entrance to the University Centre will be painted and unveiled April 18, according to a media release from the university.

Jenica Frisque, an educator at the Equity and Inclusion Office, says the stairs will act as a symbol of the school’s commitment of support to all students and staff, and its opposition to discrimination in any form.

“UBC believes all people regardless of race, religion, gender identity or sexual orientation should be able to work and study in an inclusive environment,” she says.

There will be an official ceremony April 18 at the University Centre at 11 a.m.

“Canada is becoming a place where a large number of people are proud to say they support issues such as gay rights and gay marriage, but that hasn’t spread everywhere,” Ben Moody, a coordinator at UBC Okanagan’s Pride Resource Centre says. “Kelowna itself has experienced many issues, but with things such as the rainbow crosswalks downtown and our mayor participating in the pride march we are making progress.”

The installation of the stairs follows the beginning of the Pride Alliance, which was started on campus earlier this year and the city's installation of rainbow crosswalks on Lawrence Avenue last summer.

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