My name is Conor and I am a gay male that is a married man. We are 28 and 29 years old.
I just read Christina Kerkhoff and her response to a rainbow crosswalk being installed in Chilliwack, describing it as “unholy.” (Progress, letters, July 17, 2019).
I respect the right for anyone to express their opinion, however, her comment on “it all depends on as to who you talk through,’ was very selfish and narrow minded.
I grew up in Chilliwack and went to St Mary’s. I was raised Roman Catholic. I am baptized, I have completed communion, and I am married. I have come back to Chilliwack because I am constantly reminded of the beauty that is Chilliwack. I have come to purchase a home, and have a child.
Christina’s attitude is rather childish as I don’t think anyone would trample on a crosswalk. Crosswalks are meant for walking; and an analogy of people’s journeying through life and I certainly hope that Christina would not trample on anyone’s journey. Her comments purport hate. Hate that I have been abused by growing up in a school and religious community that can seek to do harm to others when they don’t conform. Her unholy speech does not represent our community at all and I think she doesn’t talk to many people at all.
LGBT people are everywhere here and by Chilliwack putting in a rainbow crosswalk shows that we are a community that respects that human beings are unique, diverse, and special and we all deserve to be recognized.
I knew I was gay from the very beginning of my journey, and I wish I had some type of environment that was safe from people like Christina where I could express myself and not drown in what other people told me to feel.
For Christina to quote God is redundant as there is no Gospel from God. Christina cannot tell anyone what the word of God is. She has not seen God and cannot speak to him as he would be ashamed of her.
Ashamed that she is wanting to put people like me and many others in our school system and community through a painful beginning of our journey.
To walk across the rainbow is to walk with pride and dignity through my experience being a gay man and I hope that someone with her feelings stays away from the crosswalk. Christina doesn’t deserve to walk on it.
Conor McGinty