Fort McMurray Pride crosswalk defaced week after it was installed

FortMcMurray'sfirst rainbow crosswalk has been defaced with tire markssince it was painted last week, and police arenow investigatinginappropriate comments about the crosswalk posted online.

The municipality installed the colourful pedestrian crossing at HardinStreet and Biggs Avenueon July 23at a cost of $10,000, after Pride YMM and the municipality's diversity and equality advisory committee asked for support for a number of initiatives.

SitharaFernando, a member of FortMcMurray'sLGBTQ+ community, noticed skid marks on the crosswalk Monday.

"I'm definitely angry about it,"Fernando said.

• Pride celebrations return to Fort McMurray in August

Fernando came out as a lesbian this year after keeping her sexual orientation a secret for years. She's looking forward to celebrating Pride this year and even blogged about the crossing.

Meanwhile on social media, there have been several commentsby people questioning why the crosswalk was needed.

Wood BuffaloRCMPCpl. Erika Laird said police are investigating several "inappropriate comments" made online in reference to thecrosswalk.RCMPwould not elaborate on the nature of those comments.

Fernando challenged those opposed to the Pride symbol by saying it's still hard to identify publicly as LGBTQ+ in a northern Albertan town.

"Just to be really frank, it is not illegal in any country in the world to be heterosexual," Fernando said. "It is definitely illegal in places to homosexual."

'Not what Fort McMurray is about'

Pride celebrations have returned to Fort McMurray after a hiatus of a number of years. Events will take place on August 26.

Coun. Tyran Ault, who worked behind the scenes to get the crosswalk installed, said residents shouldn't let the actions of a few ruin the celebrations.

"It's definitely disappointing to see the burnouts happen," Ault said. "But that's not what Fort McMurray is about."

Ault said most reaction to the crosswalk has beenpositive and he sees many people visiting the location to take pictures.

The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo spokesperson Nicole Powercondemnedthe tire marks.

"The marks on the crosswalk, if deliberate and some of the negative comments on social media are disappointing," Power said in written statement.

"But these acts show the rest of us that even in a community as diverse of this one, there's still more work to be done to ensure that it's truly inclusive for all residents."

Shealso said the crosswalk was designed to withstand tire marks and will wash away over time.

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