Plans are moving ahead to create a pride crosswalk downtown to paint a permanent symbol to represent the LGBTQ community in Drumheller.
On Friday, August 24 at 4 pm a rainbow painted crosswalk will be unveiled on Centre Street along 3rd Avenue W next to the downtown plaza, followed by entertainment.
The crosswalk will mimic what many other communities across Canada have done to provide a physical show of support of the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, and queer) members of their communities.
“It’s a long time coming for Drumheller and it’s something I always envisioned since I came out at 19,” says Brandon Frasso, president of the Drumheller Pride Association who is involved with the project.
“It’s about recognizing the LGBTQ community. There’s nothing here now that represents or encourages pride,” he says. “This is the first step for Drum to slowly progress into the future. There are people who are scared to come out and maybe they’ll be more willing to then.”
Town summer events coordinator Grant Daly says the town is fully onboard with the project.
“Everyone I’ve talked to so far is showing great enthusiasm,” he says.
The group is looking for as much volunteers and supporters as possible to attend the event and help organize festivities for the day. The best way to get involved is to like and contact organizers of the Drumheller Pride Association Facebook page and to “grab a brush” and come out to help in late August.
photo credit to Flickr user FlickreviewR, of the original rainbow crossing in Sydney, Australia
