Spencer Middle School rainbow crosswalk vandalized

Langford is dealing with a bout of discrimination after a newly painted rainbow crosswalk was vandalized the same day it was unveiled. The crosswalk, an initiative brought forward by the students in the school’s Sexual Orientation, Gender Identities (SOGI) Club, was painted with the colours of the Progress Pride Flag to increase safety, awareness, and inclusivity at school.

However, within hours of its installation the day before Valentine’s Day, somebody purposely scuffed it up with skid marks. City staff swiftly saw to repairs, but despite the quick action, the crosswalk was vandalized again overnight, this time defaced with spray paint alongside more skid marks.

“Vandalism and hate are never appropriate and have no place in our community, said Langford Coun. Kimberley Guiry, who worked closely on the project with the SOGI Club. “As residents and neighbours, we can do so much better than vandalizing a symbol of acceptance.”

West Shore RCMP are investigating.

“We live in a time where the most vulnerable community members need strong allies in leadership roles and reinforced messages of support from the community,” Guiry said.

This isn’t the first time a rainbow crosswalk in the CRD has been vandalised. Royal Bay Secondary School’s rainbow crosswalk was defaced back in 2021.

“This student-led initiative of a progressive pride crosswalk at Spencer Middle School is a fantastic opportunity for Langford to provide wrap-around community love and acceptance for youth, youth who need to feel seen and valued for who they are,” Guiry said.

Langford's MLA calls incident disturbing

The news of the vandalism made its way to the legislature, where Ravi Parmar, the MLA for Langford-Juan de Fuca said he was disturbed and saddened to see this happen to “a symbol of love, hope, and community unity.”

“Such ignorant and hateful acts have no place here, and I share in the collective outrage of our community.”

“I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the City of Langford, School District 62, and most importantly, the students, for their demonstration of kindness and resilience in the face of hate,” Parmar said. “Their actions remind us all of the strength found in unity and compassion. It is through their example that we are shown the true spirit of our community."

Royal Bay has the only other rainbow crosswalk in the Sooke School District (SD62). A senior student, Oskar Wood, created it to highlight the importance of supporting and destigmatizing LGBTQ+ members.

Langford raises city's pride flag in solidarity

The City of Langford and the Sooke School District said they will continue to voice their support for equity, diversity, and inclusion.

The pride flag was raised last week at Langford City Hall as an additional sign of solidarity.