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Red Deer Pride grows amid suspected vandalism

For the first time, the City of Red Deer has installed a rainbow crosswalk to mark the upcoming Central Alberta Pride week — yet some organizers are concerned tire skidmarks are a sign the community has a way to go on the road to inclusion.

Temporary rainbow crosswalk for Central Alberta Pride week blackened by skid marks

Stephanie Wiebe · CBC News ·
Skidmarks left on the newly-painted rainbow crosswalk won't dampen organizers' spirits. (Joe Whitbread)

For the first time, the City of Red Deer has installed a rainbow crosswalk as a symbol of the upcoming Central Alberta Pride week — yet some organizers are concerned tire skidmarks are a sign the community has a way to go when it comes to inclusion.

Crews had to touch up the multi-coloured stripes at Ross Street and Gaetz Avenue on Tuesday, one day after several city councillors and pride organizers held an event celebrating its installation.

"It crushed me a little bit until I realized some skidmarks on my rainbow is not going to get me down," said Joel Graham, event coordinator for the Central Alberta Pride Society.

Joel Graham, left, event coordinator Central Alberta Pride Society, and Serge Gingras co-chair, stand in front of the rainbow-coloured crosswalk in Red Deer. (Stephanie Wiebe/CBC)

He said he'd rather focus on the strides the community has made since the society was created four years ago.

When asked if he thought the marks were made intentionally, he said "those people just need extra love is how we tackle that challenge."

'More serious issues'

Coun. Paul Harris, who is gay, said the crosswalk indicates how far the city has come in recent years. 

"[There's] a lot of young people in this community and other communities that aren't feeling accepted, and so when you paint a crosswalk like this, it says to them 'it's OK to be who you are and you're just as important as anyone else in this community.'"

Harris said the effects of the recent mass shooting in Orlando are still being felt within LGBTQ communities around the world, but doesn't want to give this scenario any more power. 

"The gay lesbian bisexual transgender community has dealt with way more serious issues than this," said Allison McKinnon, an LGBTQ ally who has attended numerous pride events in Canada and in Red Deer.

"I think it was just a crime of opportunity. Somebody saw an option to try and ruin something, but they can't and they won't."

City footed the bill

The city paid for the crosswalk paint at an estimated cost of $800, plus an extra $60 for the touch-ups, out of its diversity budget. 

Graham said he and other organizers are looking into the possibility of having a parade for next year's event.

Central Alberta pride week runs Aug. 13 to 21.

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