To celebrate the launch of Vancouver Pride Week, the City of Vancouver gave a West End intersection a colourful makeover on Monday.
Permanent rainbow-striped crosswalks put a touch of Pride in the steps of pedestrians at the intersection of Davie and Bute Streets. The change was made overnight on Sunday, ready for the proclamation of Pride Week, reported Vancity Buzz.
The multi-coloured pavements are the first in Canada, reported News 1130. Vancouver introduced them to mark the city's commitment to diversity, acceptance and equality.
NDP MLA for Vancouver-West End, Spencer Chandra Herbert said the crosswalks were sited at something of a cultural capital for the LGBTQ community, the Vancouver Sun reported.
“This is where the Pride Parade started, it’s where the fight for marriage equality started, the right to adopt,” Herbert told the paper. “It makes sense to mark that history and a little colour is a good thing.”
The launch of Vancouver Pride Week coincided with growing concerns about Russia's sweeping new anti-gay laws. Mayor Gregor Robertson released a statement slamming the homophobic laws, while a movement to boycott Russian goods gathers international momentum.
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