Dozens of students, volunteers, parents, teenagers and adults—young and otherwise—helped members of OUTJasper make Jasper’s downtown more vibrant and inclusive June 25.

Mychol Ormandy, executive director of OUTJasper, was visibly moved by the show of support from the community.

“Their support means everything,” he said.

Five years and two councils ago, Jasper’s first rainbow crosswalk was painted on Connaught Drive. It wasn’t a straightforward journey. After Jasper’s municipal council of the day initially voted against painting a rainbow crosswalk, they eventually voted in a welcoming and inclusivity proclamation and had staff draw up a crosswalk policy that would, apparently, allow council the political breathing room to not stir up too many hard feelings amongst community members.

That all seems like ages ago, most community members would agree. Now, for the first time, OUTJasper has painted three rainbow crosswalks in the Central Business District.

It’s thanks in large part not just to OUTJasper, not just to Ross Derksen at Jasper’s Home Hardware (who donated the paint), but to a larger sense of openness and inclusivity, encapsulated by the outpouring of volunteers.

“Thank you to all the kids, you all did an amazing job!” Ormandy said.

Bob Covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com