Calgary’s LGBTQ2+ community will now have a physical, year-round fixture in the city, as Mount Royal University is set to unveil the first-ever permanent rainbow crosswalk.

The city has had the multi-coloured crosswalk in the past, out in front of city hall. It first appeared in 2015 and then was in danger of not being done in 2016 when Calgary Pride organizers couldn’t afford the necessary $4,000 estimated cost to create it. That money was later raised through GoFundMe.

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This crosswalk will be unveiled at a ceremony at the campus location Tuesday. Calgary Pride week is currently being celebrated in Calgary with events happening all over the city. It concludes Sept. 3.

“The Pride flag is a powerful symbol that shows support for LGBTQ2+ communities,” said Mount Royal University President, David Docherty, in a prepared statement.

“With this crosswalk Mount Royal is showing its commitment to diversity and inclusion on campus. We want all students, faculty, staff and community members to know that everyone is welcome at MRU and everyone belongs here.”

Something I'm thinking about: Of Canada's largest cities, only two do not have a permanent Pride crosswalk:

Calgary and Quebec City. And maybe Quebec City does, but I don't know what "Permanent Pride Crosswalk" is in french. Calgary removes their crosswalk every year. pic.twitter.com/0py8ZshkEX — Mike Morrison (@mikesbloggity) August 24, 2018

It’s welcome news to Eddy Robinson, Mount Royal student and member of the Pride Planning Committee.

“I’m really glad the University took the steps to make this a permanent fixture at MRU. The community often only sees this display of solidarity around the time of Pride week, so a permanent Pride flag crosswalk gives me hope for a University committed to my community in the long run.”

The Students’ Association of Mount Royal University’s (SAMRU) Pride Centre is a queer-positive, all gender-inclusive, celebratory and welcoming space in which students explore gender and sexual identity.

The crosswalk was created and painted by local Calgary business, Zoom Painting.

“We are so proud to donate Calgary’s first permanent Pride crosswalk,” said Kyle Friedman, CEO Zoom Painting. “It’s unbelievable what effect you can make with a little bit of paint.”

The estimated cost of the crosswalk was $17,500.

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