Dozens cycle in 2SLGBTQ+ 'rainbow ride' in response to Woolwich councillor's comments

More than two dozen cyclists donned rainbow flags and other 2SLGBTQ+ attire to ride through parts of Waterloo region Wednesday evening.

The bike ride was organized following comments made by Woolwich Coun. Murray Martin about the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

Martin had objected to the idea of a rainbow crosswalk being installed in Elmira, Ont., during a council meeting on Aug. 22. He claimed the rainbow is being used to "promote a lifestyle" and that using the rainbow — which has religious significance for Martin — isn't "proper." 

Martin has since apologized for the comments.

Andrew Jacob Rinehart organized the event, called the Rural Rainbow Ride. He was raised in a rural community near Windsor-Essex. 

"It can be particularly hard being a queer person living in rural areas because you don't have as good of access to your community, so it can be particularly isolating," he said.

"And so when I heard these comments being made, I thought that somebody has to do something and if nobody else is going to, I guess it'll be me."

The 25 kilometre ride began in Waterloo at Northfield Station with riders cheering and ringing their bike bells as they travelled north. They continued into the Township of Woolwich, crossing through St. Jacobs, Conestogo and down to Bloomingdale. The ride finished at Kitchener's Central Station.

It was organized as a ride because of Rinehart's love for bikes and the social aspect of riding together, but it goes deeper for him too.  

"I think that there's power in getting queer people together and showing up for each other," he said. "And there's power in seeing each other out in public space and taking up that space, and so it's just a means to that end."

Bob Jonkman from Elmira had seen a clip of the council meeting on YouTube and said he was "thoroughly offended" by what he heard. He felt he had to show his support by joining in the ride. 

"I'm not sure that Elmira is necessarily the most progressive place, and I think that was shown in Coun. Martin's comments, but change is afoot," Jonkman said. 

"I mean, the idea there was to build a rainbow crosswalk, which is to counteract that mindset and bring more acceptance into the community, so I think Coun. Martin showed exactly why that rainbow crosswalk is needed in Elmira."

Rinehart said he doesn't think Martin's apology goes far enough.

"Apologies are absolutely free," he said.

"It's one thing to apologize. It's another thing to change and show a willingness to learn and to grow and has that happened overnight … between him saying it and him apologizing? I don't believe that's possible."