{"id":2,"date":"2021-07-26T17:27:50","date_gmt":"2021-07-26T17:27:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rydersrainbow.com\/?page_id=2"},"modified":"2021-11-16T22:17:48","modified_gmt":"2021-11-17T03:17:48","slug":"ryders-rainbow","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/rydersrainbow.com\/","title":{"rendered":"Ryder’s Rainbow"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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On July 13, 2021, eight-year-old Ryder Mandryk appeared before Norfolk County Council to request an investment in a rainbow pride crosswalk in downtown Simcoe, ON.<\/p>

Rainbow crosswalks symbolize support for individuals who identify as LGBTQ2S, and send the message that their community embraces all forms of gender and sexual identification. This is important because historically speaking, members of this community within communities has been marginalized in many ways.<\/p>

Unfortunately, Ryder\u2019s request has led to both Ryder and her family being subjected to extreme, unwarranted prejudice on social media. Comments on posts of the article<\/a> published by the Simcoe Reformer and Brantford Expositor on their respective Facebook pages were vile to the point that both newspapers removed the posts.<\/p>

The harsh backlash has encouraged many LGBTQ2S supporters to rally behind Ryder and offer to contribute to the crosswalk project. If you would like to make a contribution, you can do so by sending an e-transfer to donate@rydersrainbow.com or making a donation in person at your local Scotiabank. Funds will be held in trust until the crosswalk project is underway.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Norfolk County Support: <\/strong><\/p>\n

Members of Norfolk County Council expressed support for the crosswalk project. Norfolk County Mayor Kristal Chopp has supported Ryder\u2019s project since the beginning, and she was the first person to encourage her to bring her request to council.<\/p>\n

Mayor Chopp expressed a desire to see members of the community contribute to the costs associated with the project. The estimated cost of a rainbow crosswalk is $7000 \u2013 $10,000. This figure was provided by a contractor contacted by Norfolk County Roads Department staff in preparation for Ryder\u2019s deputation. The cost is high because rainbow crosswalks require specialty thermal paint that is different than typical pavement paint.<\/p>\n

Ryder\u2019s family and supporters believe a municipal investment in the project is a reasonable request, but understand council\u2019s desire to ensure public funding is invested responsibly. Many people have already come forward offering financial support, so Ryder\u2019s Rainbow was created to manage the fundraising program.<\/p>\n

If enough donations come in, Ryder will ask for additional rainbow crosswalks across Norfolk County. Based on the response to the project so far, a location in Port Dover is already being researched.<\/p>\n

Watch Ryder\u2019s deputation and subsequent council discussion here:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Contribute to Ryder\u2019s Rainbow Crosswalk:<\/strong><\/p>

All donations toward Ryder\u2019s Rainbow crosswalk project must be made by e-transfer or in person at a Scotia Bank branch. Ryder\u2019s Rainbow has its own bank account to receive donations.\u00a0<\/strong>If you would like to register your donation for tracking purposes only, or send a message of support for Ryder, please fill out the form below. Please note: entering a donation amount does not mean that donation has processed. This website is for information and to make tracking donations easier.<\/p>

ALL DONATIONS MUST BE MADE BY E-TRANSFER TO\u00a0donate@rydersrainbow.com<\/a>\u00a0OR IN PERSON AT A SCOTIABANK BRANCH.<\/p>

Filling out this form DOES NOT send in a donation. This form only allows you to submit a message of support for Ryder that will be posted on this page after your donation is received, and helps us track your donation in the event the project does not proceed and you would like a refund.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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