Pride Month a success for Alberta towns this year, despite an increase in backlash

On a sunny evening last week, a crowd of revellers celebrating Pride Month in Westlock, Alta., painted a rainbow crosswalk for the first time in the town's history.

Despite some worries that the event could be disrupted by protests, it went off without a hitch.

"I know that this is a kind and loving and compassionate community," Mayor Ralph Leriger said at the event. "I had faith that they would show up to support, and they have."

The crosswalk project had been proposed by the Thunder Alliance, a group that supports members of the LGBTQ community at R.F. Staples Secondary School in the town 90 kilometres north of Edmonton.

In May, councillors voted unanimously to support painting the crosswalk on 106th Street, between Westlock's town hall and the Royal Canadian Legion. But at a council meeting June 12, some people showed up to voice angry objections.

Protesters asked if the town should use its authority to support a group's interest. One resident wrote to council comparing the Pride crosswalk to the Nazi flag, calling it a means to promote an agenda.

"We did receive a lot more pushback than we anticipated," Heidi Mills, a school social worker and a lead teacher with the Thunder Alliance, said at the crosswalk-painting event.

"Despite all of the hate that we've received, look at this crowd," she said, gesturing to the group of more than 200 people. "It's giving me goosebumps right now."

Like Westlock, other small towns across Alberta this June celebrated the LGBTQ community with crosswalk paintings, parade floats and outdoor events.

Every year, more communities are embracing Pride. But politicians, police and LGBTQ groups are growing increasingly concerned about outspoken backlash promoting division and hate.

Alberta RCMP saw a spike in reported hate incidents in June compared to previous years. 

By the end of the month, police had received 14 reports about incidents targeting LGBTQ people, compared with five reports in June 2022. Reports included graffiti, the theft of a Pride flag and tire burnouts on rainbow crosswalks.

"There's been more sidewalks created this year than ever, which is great," said RCMP Supt. Mike McCauley. "But unfortunately, it's leading to more damage and more acts of hate." 

He cited incidents of crosswalk vandalism in Okotoks, south of Calgary, and Ponoka, north of Red Deer.