After rainbow-painted posts outside the North Kawartha Public Library were vandalized this week, staff and community members are responding with a public event to repaint them in a show of unity and support.
The colourful posts, located in the library’s parking lot in Apsley, were originally painted as a symbol of welcome and inclusion for the LGBTQIA+ community during Pride month.
Sometime last week, however, the posts closest to the road were spray-painted over with black paint.
Library officials say the vandalism was painful to see, but they are turning the moment into what they call a “celebration of unity.”
“It was very hurtful to a lot of people” says library CEO Debbie Hall “But it also galvanizes the community to come together and do something good, to participate in this event, show that there are other points of view out there and that we support this community.”
The repainting event is scheduled for Friday, at 11 a.m. in the library parking lot. All are welcome to attend.
“Visible signs of love and acceptance matter,” the library said in a statement. “Hate has no home here.”
The library is encouraging residents to bring paintbrushes, kindness and a spirit of inclusion to help restore the display.
