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鈥檚 discriminatory anti-gay laws into the international spotlight.
In a speech before the flag was hoisted, Walter talked of how support for Russia鈥檚 LGBT community has sprung up around the world.
鈥淏y raising the flag today we join those voices,鈥� he said. 鈥淒iscrimination has no place in sports and it has no place in a civil society at large.鈥�
Ireland echoed Walter鈥檚 sentiment, adding that Jasper is an inclusive community not just during the Olympic Games, but every day of the year.
鈥淭he municipality is proud to be supportive,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 fitting to do this during the Olympic Games, but we鈥檝e flown this flag in Jasper previously and I鈥檓 sure we鈥檒l fly it again.
鈥淚t simply reflects that Jasper is a welcoming, inclusive community.鈥�
Trevor Nichols
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