The only rainbow crosswalk in Westlock, Alta., about 75 kilometres northwest of Edmonton, has been painted white.
Roughly 35 kilometres to the west, in the town of Barrhead, four flags have been removed from municipal flag poles. Soon two crosswalks will be redone: one for pride, another supporting people with disabilities.
This comes after residents of each town voted in favour of neutrality laws that allow only white crosswalks, and for national, provincial, or municipal flags to fly on town flagpoles.
“Our hope was to see if people also wanted the town to just be neutral and basically a blank space,” said Stephanie Bakker, spokesperson for the Westlock Neutrality Team, a citizen group. She was among those who petitioned for the town’s bylaw.
“A place where everyone can just feel comfortable and welcome as they are.”