The Village Street Signs - Please vote now!

From September 16-23, 2010, a prototype Village street sign will be placed on the corner of Bank and Gilmour Streets to garner feedback from residents, local businesses and organizations to determine whether more of these signs should be placed along Bank Street between Nepean and James Streets to serve as officially recognizing the presence of a GLBT-friendly Village.

Please go to the Village web site to participate in a short survey on whether you support having Village Street signs permanently displayed along Bank Street. The link icon to the survey is prominently displayed at the top centre of the homepage and is also a picture of the Village Sign design prototype.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
For those who may not be totally familiar with The Village, the group is a collection of individuals, organizations, and businesses who were working towards having a portion of Bank Street from approximately Nepean to James designated The Village. The group formed as a result of the lack of consideration for this designation or any kind of GLBT identification when Bank Street was undergoing infrastructure and streetscape redevelopment. "The Village" is a term recognized by many members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) community in Ottawa to refer to a section of the downtown that includes many GLBT-friendly services and businesses.

Recognition of the Village can:
• create a diverse and dynamic tourist destination;
• support all existing businesses and organizations in the Village and encourage growth;
• encourage a safe space for GLBT people who work, live and play in the area; and,
• demonstrate that the GLBT population is a valued part of Ottawa's overall community.