Chalk event helps acceptance of LGBTQI community

LOCALS coloured the East Shores walkway rainbow yesterday to raise awareness for the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer Intersexual community.

LOCALS coloured the East Shores walkway rainbow yesterday to raise awareness for the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer Intersexual community.

The DIY Rainbow event was organised by 17-year-old Emily Leed.

"It's really tough for them (the LGBTQI community) at home and out in the community sometimes to get acceptance so it's good to know there are people out there willing to accept them, and this is just another way to help raise awareness about acceptance," she said.

SUPPORTIVE: Emily Leed (left) helped organise the event for her friends, including Mell Shield. Picture: Paul Braven GLALBGT

Although Emily is not part of the LGBTQI local community group, she was proud to organise the event for her friends.

Her best friend, Beky Tyrrell, 17, did not want to miss it.

"Hopefully there will be some change especially with laws and dull down the discrimination against the LGBT community," she said.

It was the first time Beky had attended an event of this kind.

"I've always been afraid of being judged, but I don't know why, because this is great," she said.

The Gladstone resident of 12 years hoped locals would embrace the event.

Within the first hour children had joined in, colouring rainbows on the concrete.

Rainbow Walk

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