Many communities across Alberta allow non-profit organizations to apply to their municipality to paint crosswalks in celebration or reflection of important moments in history.
These crosswalks are inclusive of, but not limited to, Métis Landscape Crosswalks, Decorative Crosswalks to add vibrancy and livability to streets and support causes, and Rainbow Crosswalks to celebrate diversity and inclusivity.
Peace River allows organizations to apply to paint crosswalks in approved areas in town, including the Peace River Pride Society and its Rainbow Crosswalk. For two years in a row, the Pride crosswalk was immediately defaced with skid marks inflicted by a vehicle’s tires.
In response to the vandalism, one of Peace River Pride Society’s members designed a T-shirt to help raise awareness for the society. Devin ZoBell says he designed the shirt to embrace reality from the tire marks on the society’s crosswalk, now available for purchase at Caribou Cresting.
“My experience in both life and as a teacher is when you claim something that is trying to harm you, it takes the power away from that act,” ZoBell explains.
“I call myself queer specifically because people use that word to try and hurt me. I made the decision to embrace reality and proudly wear the marks of hate on a T-shirt.”
ZoBell explains after he designed the shirt, he took a smiling selfie of himself and the crosswalk to post on social media to thank the vandals for inspiring his Pride shirt design.
“The haters in the forum and on the streets have really brought into focus how important Pride is,” he explains.
“Pride is essentially a protest against the prejudice towards the LGBTQ2S+ community. Although the vitriol, hate, violence and threats are morally wrong, they have highlighted the need for Pride. Love will win out.”
ZoBell says the hateful responses continue, highlighting exactly why he feels Pride is so important.
“Pride is like other times when we become aware of the past injustices, honour those who have come before that laid the groundwork, oftentimes with their lives, remember why we don’t want to return to the past, and reinforce all the work that needs to happen,” ZoBell adds.
“It is truly difficult to stand up to injustices, especially when we have to stand up to our families and friends.”
ZoBell explains the Peace River Pride Society’s crosswalk is meant to send a strong message that everyone can be safe in the community.
ZoBell’s design is a rainbow crosswalk with two sets of tire skid marks across it. He explains the shirt has been received well by a large portion of Peace River and people often approach him to express how pleased they are with how he addressed the negative situation.
“Many people expressed a desire to have a shirt like mine and encouraged me to mass produce it and sell it,” he says.
“It isn’t my nature to profit from something like this, so I offered it to the Pride Society to help bring awareness and potentially raise funds for the society as they try and make a positive impact for the Pride community.”
The shirts are available through Caribou Cresting with proceeds being returned to the Pride Society. People interested in purchasing a shirt can visit https://cariboucresting.itemorder.com/shop/ and enter the code XUK59.
“Acceptance doesn’t mean that you have to understand,” ZoBell says.
“In fact, understanding can be quite impossible without living that life.”
Emily Plihal
Local Journalism
Initiative Reporter
