North

Whitehorse pedestrians are walking on rainbows

The city is showing support for the LGBTQ-Plus community with a splash of colour at a downtown intersection.

The city is showing support for the LGBTQ-Plus community with a splash of colour at a downtown intersection

Mayor Dan Curtis says painting a crosswalk with the colours of the rainbow and transgender flag shows the city's support for diversity and inclusion of the LGBTQ-Plus community. (Karen McColl/CBC)

A swath of colour has been added to an intersection in downtown Whitehorse.

The city painted the colours of the LGBTQ-Plus community on the crosswalks at Main Street along Third Avenue on Tuesday. 

The colours of the rainbow represent the Pride movement, while light blue, pink and white make up the transgender flag.

Local resident Michele Genest was thrilled when she crossed the street on Tuesday. 

The transgender flag is commonly represented by the colours blue, pink and white. (Karen McColl/CBC)

"I said to myself, 'I love my city!' It's so cool, it's really great. I love the crosswalks — I hope they stay that way," she said.

"It shows that we are inclusive and loving and supportive of each other."

Mayor Dan Curtis said at a city council meeting in May that the colourful crosswalks are a way for the city to celebrate diversity and promote the inclusion of all citizens.

Whitehorse joins cities that have already painted LGBTQ-Plus flags in crosswalks. Vancouver added one along Davie Street in 2013, while Yellowknife painted one of its intersections last June. 

June is celebrated as Pride Month in many places across the country. Yukon's Pride Parade takes place this Saturday in Whitehorse.