The entrance to the hospital in Chatham just got a little bit more colourful.
In celebration of Pride Month, the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance unveiled a Pride-themed bench at its Chatham site on Tuesday.
The rainbow bench was a gift from retired CKHA pharmacist Janet Johnston and local physician Dr. Ian Johnston and will be permanently located near the main entrance at the hospital's Chatham site.
“Besides being a nice place to sit, we thought this bench would be a bright and easily identifiable message to both staff and our community that CKHA is open and welcoming to everyone. We hope that by seeing signs like this, members of Chatham Kent’s 2SLGBTQ+ community will feel safe seeking healthcare here,” said Johnston.
Ten per cent of the purchase price of the bench will also be donated to CK Pride which is a non-profit organization that creates opportunities to celebrate, support, mentor, and enhance the quality of life for members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community in Chatham-Kent.
“The pride bench and its symbolic meaning conveys CKHA’s commitment to a safe and welcoming environment and is significant to many in our community," said President and CEO of the CKHA Foundation Mary Lou Crowley. "Thank you to the Johnstons for this wonderful gift and for their dedication to 2SLGBTQ+ advocacy."
