The city of Lethbridge in Alberta, Canada has just voted to paint a permanent transgender pride flag crossing on its streets—becoming the first city in the world to do so.
reports that council members voted 8-1 to include two new permanent cross walks—one featuring the rainbow LGBT+ flag and another featuring the transgender pride flag.
Corbin Chenger is the vice chair of Lethbridge Pride Fest and says he hopes the new crosswalks will encourage other cities to follow suit.
“We’re going to be setting the standard for other cities – much, much bigger cities around the world – who have been debating and talking about maybe doing a transgender flag crosswalk,” said Chenger.
“We want to be an inclusive Pride that is open and accepting to all members of the community, not just typically lesbian, gay and bisexual people, but also the (transgender people) who are often left out and forgotten at our events.
“So, for us it’s really important,” Chenger added.
Before the council members voted, a letter from Lethridge Pride Fest was read aloud that pointed out the violence and persecution that the transgender community faces.
“This stems from an untrue narrative that members of the trans community are less valued, not deserving of full participation within society,” the letter stated.
“Investing capital in a group that is often told they do not have value begins the steps to reverse this narrative.”
Chenger said: “When I think about members of the transgender community that I know, I know this means a lot to them,” said Chenger.
“They look to this symbol… and it’s going to say this city welcomes them, that we want to be inclusive, that we’re here for them, and we’re going to fight for their rights.”
