From slashes of pink makeup across their cheeks to elaborate crusader-type costumes, students in South Bayview observed International Day of Pink with an admirable enthusiasm for their cause. Most schools had events to pursue the curbing of bullying and discrimination in schools and communities. At Leaside High School, former Ontario Health Minister and one-time candidate for mayor George Smitherman addressed an assembly. In the audience was an eminent advocate of tolerance named Kyle Woolacott (inset). Kyle is pictured as he dropped into Loblaws to check his schedule after school. “Everybody was wearing pink. I just sort of over did it,” the young cashier chuckled. Not at all Kyle. You make Loblaws proud. The pink initiative was led by Jer’s Vision, a Canadian organization that provides anti-bullying and anti-discrimination programming, and it encourages everyone to wear pink. Students from Northern Secondary School were honoured to hear directly from Jeremy Dias, Executive Director of Jer’s Vision. He spoke to students about his personal story and the importance of intolerance for bullying or homophobic behaviour in our schools, in our community or in our country. Photo: Kyle Woolacott celebrates Day of Pink.
