Alberta town bans Pride flags, rainbow crosswalks after plebiscite

[Social Media]

 

In a contentious decision, the town of Westlock, Alberta, has voted to ban Pride flags and rainbow crosswalks on municipal property. The plebiscite resulted in a slim majority of 663 votes in favor of flying only government flags and painting crosswalks in a white striped pattern, with 639 opposed.

 

Mayor Jon Kramer expressed disappointment but emphasized the town's commitment to embracing marginalized groups, including the LGBTQ community. Despite the setback, Kramer pledged to continue finding ways to support diversity and inclusion.

 

Last year, Westlock's first Pride crosswalk was painted by a local gay-straight alliance, but the decision faced pushback, leading to the recent plebiscite. The vote's outcome cannot be reversed by the council without another plebiscite.

 

The Westlock Neutrality Team, which initiated the petition for public neutrality, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. However, Kristopher Wells, an expert in LGBTQ issues, voiced concern for the youth who contributed to the crosswalk, stressing that removing symbols of LGBTQ support does not erase LGBTQ people from the community.

 

Wells highlighted a broader trend of anti-LGBTQ sentiment in Canada, citing recent policies affecting transgender individuals in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and New Brunswick. Alberta's plan to introduce parental consent requirements for name and pronoun changes at school and restrictions on gender affirmation treatments has sparked controversy.

 

Janis Irwin, Alberta Opposition NDP critic for LGBTQ issues, expressed solidarity with those affected by the vote, emphasizing the ongoing fight for inclusivity in the province.

 

Despite the ban on Pride symbols, Mayor Kramer remains committed to fostering inclusion in Westlock. He cited initiatives such as wheelchair ramps, an accessible playground, and a Filipino story time at the library as examples of the town's efforts to embrace diversity.

 

Kramer stressed that while flags and crosswalks may be restricted, the pursuit of inclusion remains a creative endeavor, and the town will continue exploring alternative avenues to support all members of the community.

 

25.02.24

Source

 

[flyingtlger]

Canadians don't like LGBTQ, aye🌈?

[sirineou]

Hey, good news for the guy who moved to Russia with his family to get away from them,

Perhaps now he can move back. 

[kwonitoy]

 

The pushback, free rainbow lawn signs

Stay tuned

 

[zhounan]

Good. 

It's always a pleasure the know that there are still sane brains in the world.

[gargamon]

Alberta is to Canada what West Virginia (or Tennessee or Kansas or ...) Is to the United States. INBRED all the way. 

[BenStark]

1 hour ago, flyingtlger said:

Canadians don't like LGBTQ, aye🌈?

 

I think they aren't woke

[quake]

Ah one more good news thread. 

keep them coming.