By Dori Modney (@Dori_Modney on Twitter)

Vandalism to Rainbow and Transgender crosswalk flags will not discourage Pride community

Jun 13, 2017 | 12:48 PM

LETHBRIDGE –  Less than a week after installing the world’s first transgender flag crosswalk and an accompanying rainbow walkway (on June 8), the effort fell victim to vandals. 
 
 Late Monday (June 12) night, both of the third avenue crosswalks were allegedly re-branded with vehicle skid marks. Members of the Lethbridge Pride group were told by community members that a street sweeper was spotted driving up and down the block trying to wash away the marks.
 
Devon Hargreaves, Board Chair of the Lethbridge Pride Fest, says his group understands that this is the action of an individual who is not so tolerant.
 
“Lethbridge Pride does recognize the massive amount of love and support we get from the community so we encourage anyone to come out and celebrate Pride, celebrate supporting diversity.”
 
It is likely that Lethbridge Pride will have to ‘touch-up’ the walkways.
 
“I am seeing confusion on-line about the damage from the rain and the burn out – the burn out we did expect a bit of rubber on the road, but this was clearly an attempt we did expect vandalism of that and it was an attack on the message of the crosswalk,” said Hargreaves.
 
According to Hargreaves, he is not aware of any surveillance cameras that were able to get footage of the incident.  However,
 
However, he sees it as a clear message that someone is sending to the LGBT-plus community, as the incident is nearly identical to a similar incident in Saskatoon earlier this month.
 
“Even the Saskatoon Pride just had this same incident and then to see that we are having this – people were saying that they were going to be doing this the day that we painted the crosswalks – so, on the one hand, we did have a lot of support, but we still had the select few that were already indicating that they were planning to target it before the paint had even dried.”
 
Hargreaves is taking solace after talking with Saskatoon Pride about their incident.
 
“They found it brought the community a lot closer together, so we’re hoping for a positive outcome out fo this that it will help to bring the queer community of Lethbridge closer and help make us a united team.”
 
The crosswalk flags were painted on third avenue, just in time for Lethbridge Pride Fest from June 16 to 24. The cost for this year’s temporary paint was funded entirely by the Lethbridge Pride Fest Society.
Permanently coloured sidewalks will be included in the 3 Avenue reconstruction, with the Pride Fest Society responsible for any increased costs for that project, as well.