Permanent Pride, Trans crosswalks unveiled in Calgary
Posted Jul 22, 2019 3:10 pm.
Last Updated Jul 22, 2019 3:16 pm.
CALGARY (660 NEWS) — Monday marked a big day for the LGBTQ2+ community.
Calgary Pride, along with the City, unveiled permanent painted Pride and Trans flags on Stephen Avenue at Centre Street.
A big crowd is out at Stephen Ave and Centre street as the official unveiling of the permanently painted pride and trans flags is underway. #yyc #pride @660NEWS pic.twitter.com/io8TyAhxJE
— Devon McKendrick (@the_dmckendrick) July 22, 2019
The project, which has been in the works for two years, was painted and funded by Zoom Painting.
“We took this on as a discussion, honestly. We were talking about things at the office, and the fact that Calgary didn’t have a permanent Pride crosswalk came up,” Zoom Painting CEO and founder Kyle Friedman explained. “We looked into it, and we decided to make it happen.”
The company will also provide annual upkeep.
Ward 8 Councillor Evan Woolley says this is a very important symbol to have Calgary.
I was happy to help celebrate the permanent pride/trans crosswalks on Stephen Ave at Centre Street today.
Paint donated by @SherwinWilliams while design & labour donated by local co. @ZoomPainting. Zoom has also committed to maintaining the crosswalks on behalf of @CalgaryPride pic.twitter.com/c07njURKP1
— Evan Woolley (@EWoolleyWard8) July 22, 2019
“Not only are they important for us to reflect back on how far we’ve come as a community, but also look at where we are today and all of the work we have to do moving forward,” he stated during Monday’s unveiling. “This conversation is here to stay. Diversity and inclusion are really important parts of our community.”
For Calgary Pride, it’s a celebration for all.
“Every kind of person under the rainbow, literally, exists in this city,” board president of Calgary Pride, Shown Thistle, said. “We do so together, making it a better place.”
