As the sun sank behind the mountains, Feb. 8, a small crowd watched as Mayor Richard Ireland and Uwe Walter of the Jasper Pride Festival Society raised the pride flag above Jasper.
The rainbow flag is a symbol of LGBT pride and represents the diversity of the community through each of its six colours.
Walter explained that raising it above Jasper, in front of the Emergency Services Building, is a gesture of solidarity and support for that community.
The Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia have sparked conversation across the world about LGBT rights, after they thrust Russia’s discriminatory anti-gay laws into the international spotlight.
In a speech before the flag was hoisted, Walter talked of how support for Russia’s LGBT community has sprung up around the world.
“By raising the flag today we join those voices,” he said. “Discrimination has no place in sports and it has no place in a civil society at large.”
Ireland echoed Walter’s sentiment, adding that Jasper is an inclusive community not just during the Olympic Games, but every day of the year.
“The municipality is proud to be supportive,” he said. “It’s fitting to do this during the Olympic Games, but we’ve flown this flag in Jasper previously and I’m sure we’ll fly it again.
“It simply reflects that Jasper is a welcoming, inclusive community.”
Trevor Nichols
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