Rainbow Flag raised in Pincher

Following Pride events in Cardston and Taber, an LGBTQ community group has raised the Rainbow Flag in Pincher Creek.

“It’s right near the library on Main Street,” says spokesperson Andrew McCutcheon.

Raised on June 12 — in memory of 49 killed and 53 injured during a massacre exactly two years ago at a gay night club in Florida — the flag will continue flying for a week.

“This is just a beginning,” he says. “So far, there’s quite a lot of interest.”

Local officials and community members have been supportive, he adds. And town council readily approved the request to hoist the internationally recognized flag.

“They have been absolutely wonderful,” McCutcheon says. “Pincher Creek is a very forward looking community.”

The town’s LGBTQ community is not large, he says, but it’s welcoming. “We’re quite excited” to hold the first Pride event. The flag raising came nearly a week ahead of the Lethbridge ceremony, set for 6 p.m. on Monday at city hall.