Historic crossroad for Lethbridge
CITY FIRST IN WORLD TO PAINT TRANSGENDER FLAG CROSSWALK
Lethbridge has become the first city in the world to paint a transgender flag crosswalk on a street.
Two temporary crosswalks were painted Thursday morning at the intersection of 3 Avenue and 6 Street South — one rainbow LGBTQ+ and one pink, blue and white transgender flag.
The temporary crosswalks were approved by Lethbridge City Council in May, with costs funded by the Lethbridge Pride Fest Society.
The transgender flag crosswalk is especially significant as other major cities have been attempting to do the same, but haven’t yet been able to secure the permission.
“The fact that Los Angeles is trying to get it and Lethbridge is the one that got it first, that’s a huge step for Canada,” said Lethbridge Pride Fest Chair Devon Hargreaves. “We’ve made international news with this, so we’re very excited about that.”
Mayor Chris Spearman was on hand to help paint the crosswalks, along with Jay Whitehead of Club Didi/Theatre Outre, Sean Desrochers of OUTreach Southern Alberta, and members of the Lethbridge Pride Fest board.
Last year, the Pride Fest was approved to paint five temporary rainbow LGBTQ+ crosswalks bordering Galt Gardens. The change this year is to be more inclusive of transgender rights, a sector that is often further segregated within the LGBTQ+ community. Transgender individuals also experience the most violence.
“The rainbow flag encompasses us all. The trans flag, the importance of that is bringing that recognition. There’s been some times it hasn’t been recognized even in the LGBT community,” said Hargreaves. “So to bring that to the forefront, it’s making a statement saying you are a part of our community.”
Hargreaves said there’s been “massive” support from the transgender community, not just locally but from all across Canada.
“We’ve gotten messages from people who think this is actually going to improve their quality of life here in Lethbridge. Other people are calling for it in their cities,” he said. “We hope we’re starting a trend and more importantly starting a discussion about trans rights and the value of life and the value of Pride as a diverse, unique community that encompasses us all.”
One letter of support from Ottawa on behalf of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Randy Boissonnault, Edmonton MP and the Prime Minister’s special adviser on LGBTQ+ issues, wrote the letter congratulating the Pride Society on the historic moment and thanking them for their leadership.
It was earlier proposed to install two permanent crosswalks at the location. Due to reconstruction of 3 Avenue between 4 Street and 8 Street South planned to begin next year, that project has been pushed back. Pride is to cover the costs associated with installing the permanent crosswalks, approximately $18,000, in the future.
The costs of installing the crosswalks, as well as who would pay for them, has been a point of contention within the community. Many comments have been shared on social media, and Lethbridge city councillors heard loud and clear that taxpayers did not want to bear the cost.
Hargreaves addressed the comments, confirming the crosswalks are being fully funded by the Pride Fest Society. The group is still working towards raising funds to install permanent crosswalks when the road renewal takes place next year.
Linda McFalls, sponsor chairperson of Lethbridge Pride Fest Society, said it took awhile to get the project approved but now that’s it’s done, she’s ecstatic.
“This year I’m very excited because the colours are more brilliant and bright, and the stripes are solid — a totally different design,” she said.
McFalls noted their efforts haven’t been without controversy, but she welcomes more discussion.
“It’s always great to start a conversation. Whether people use that word criticism ... Criticism is positive or negative. I think for the community to get everybody talking is always a positive.”
Pride Week runs June 16-24, with the parade and Pride in the Park scheduled for June 24 at Galt Gardens.
For more information and a complete list of events, visit
www.lethbridgepride.ca or email info@lethbridgepride.ca.
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