Vancity Buzz
To celebrate the launch of Vancouver Pride Week, the City of Vancouver gave a West End intersection a colourful makeover on Monday.
Permanent rainbow-striped crosswalks put a touch of Pride in the steps of pedestrians at the intersection of Davie and Bute Streets. The change was made overnight on Sunday, ready for the proclamation of Pride Week, reported Vancity Buzz.
The multi-coloured pavements are the first in Canada, reported News 1130. Vancouver introduced them to mark the city's commitment to diversity, acceptance and equality.
NDP MLA for Vancouver-West End, Spencer Chandra Herbert said the crosswalks were sited at something of a cultural capital for the LGBTQ community, the Vancouver Sun reported.
“This is where the Pride Parade started, it’s where the fight for marriage equality started, the right to adopt,” Herbert told the paper. “It makes sense to mark that history and a little colour is a good thing.”
The launch of Vancouver Pride Week coincided with growing concerns about Russia's sweeping new anti-gay laws. Mayor Gregor Robertson released a statement slamming the homophobic laws, while a movement to boycott Russian goods gathers international momentum.
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Vancouver's Rainbow Crosswalk
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Parade grand marshal Jenna Talackova, the first transgendered Miss Universe contestant, makes a heart shape to the crowd during the Vancouver Pride Parade in Vancouver, B.C., on Sunday August 5, 2012. Organizers expected as many as 600,000 people to take in the parade which is one of the largest in North America. (credit:THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)
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A reveler dressed in an elaborate costume takes part in the Vancouver Pride Parade in Vancouver, B.C., on Sunday August 5, 2012. Organizers expected as many as 600,000 people to take in the parade which is one of the largest in North America. (credit:THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)
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A giant rainbow flag is carried down Robson Street during the Vancouver Pride Parade in Vancouver, B.C., on Sunday August 5, 2012. Organizers expected as many as 600,000 people to take in the parade which is one of the largest in North America. (credit:THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)
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Transgendered beauty queen Jenna Talackova reacts as she makes the top 20 cut in the Miss Universe Canada pageant in Toronto on Saturday May 19, 2012. Talackova sparked global attention when she was initially disqualified from the pageant. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Chris Young) (credit:AP)
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Transgendered beauty queen Jenna Talackova watches a fellow contestant take to the stage in the Miss Universe Canada pageant in Toronto on Saturday May 19, 2012. Talackova sparked global attention when she was initially disqualified from the pageant. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Chris Young) (credit:AP)
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Transgendered beauty queen Jenna Talackova, center, appears in the Miss Universe Canada pageant in Toronto on Saturday May 19, 2012. Talackova sparked global attention when she was initially disqualified from the pageant. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Chris Young) (credit:AP)
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Transgendered beauty queen Jenna Talackova reacts as she makes the top 20 cut in the Miss Universe Canada pageant in Toronto on Saturday May 19, 2012. Talackova sparked global attention when she was initially disqualified from the pageant. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Chris Young) (credit:AP)
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Jenna Talackova, the first transgender Miss Universe Canada contestant, is seen during a photo shoot at the Sandman Signature Hotel in Toronto on Saturday, May 12, 2012, in advance of the Miss Universe Canada pageant. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Aaron Vincent Elkaim
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62 finalists for Miss Universe Canada pose for a photo in advance of the pageant. (Alex Urosevic/iPhotoLive.com)
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Jenna Talackova, the first transgender Miss Universe Canada contestant, poses during a photo shoot at the Sandman Signature Hotel in Toronto on Saturday, May 12, 2012 ahead the Miss Universe Canada pageant. Talackova, a Vancouver resident, underwent a sex change four years ago after being born a male. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Aaron Vincent Elkaim) (credit:AP)
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Vancouver's transgender Miss Universe Canada contestant Jenna Talackova arrives with fellow pageant contestants at St. John Vianney Catholic School in Toronto on Tuesday May 15, 2012.(AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Chris Young) (credit:AP)
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Jenna Talackova, the first transgender Miss Universe Canada contestant, is photographed with other contestants during a photo call at the Sandman Signature Hotel in Toronto on Saturday, May 12, 2012 ahead of the Miss Universe Canada pageant. Talackova, a Vancouver resident, underwent a sex change four years ago after being born a male. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Aaron Vincent Elkaim) (credit:AP)
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Jenna Talackova takes a picture with 11-year-old student Kadeen Drummond as Miss Universe Canada contestants visit St. John Vianney Catholic School in Toronto on Tuesday May 15, 2012. Talackova says she's proud to be opening the door for other transgender pageant hopefuls who may want to follow in her footsteps. Talackova ignited a media firestorm after she was initially disqualified from the pageant because she isn't a naturally born female. Pageant owner Donald Trump overruled the decision and said Talackova could take part. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Chris Young) (credit:AP)
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Vancouver's transgender Miss Universe Canada contestant Jenna Talackova gestures as Miss Universe Canada contestants visit St. John Vianney Catholic School in Toronto on Tuesday May 15, 2012. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Chris Young) (credit:AP)
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Jenna Talackova enjoys pool side at a Los Angeles hotel, April 2, 2012. (iPhotoLIve.com)
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Jenna Talackova smiles at a press conference with her attorney Gloria Allred (not pictured) in Los Angeles on April 3, 2012 in California. Talackova was previously disqualified from Miss Universe Canada, she said, because she used to be male. (FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
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Jenna Talackova looks on at a press conference in Los Angeles as her attorney Gloria Allred displays Jenna's passport on April 3, 2012. (FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
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Jenna Talackova, who advanced to the finals of the Miss Canada competition, part of the Miss Universe contest, and was recently forced out of the competition, is listed in her passport as female (with other personal identifying information redacted) at a news conference in Los Angeles Tuesday, April 3, 2012. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon) (credit:AP)
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In this image released by ABC, beauty contestant Jenna Talackova, left, poses with ABC's Barbara Walters at an interview Thursday, April 5, 2012 in New York. (AP Photo/ABC, Heidi Gutman) (credit:AP)
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A man takes part in a march during anti-government protests on Istiklal Street, the main shopping corridor on June 23, 2013 in Istanbul. The protest began in late May over the Gezi Park redevelopment project but swiftly turned into a protest and street party against Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and what protestors call his increasingly authoritarian rule. The protest has spread to dozens of cities in Turkey, in secular anger against Erdogan and his Islam-rooted Justice and Development Party. (credit:GURCAN OZTURK/AFP/Getty Images))
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A participant cheers as he attends the annual Gay Pride parade to celebrate Christopher Street Day in front of the victory column in Berlin, Germany, Saturday, June 22, 2013. (AP Photo/dpa, Wolfgang Kumm) (credit:AP)
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Colorfully dressed men pose as they attend the annual Gay Pride parade to celebrate Christopher Street Day in Berlin Saturday, June 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber) (credit:AP)
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A couple arrive for the annual Gay Pride parade to celebrate Christopher Street Day in Berlin Saturday, June 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber) (credit:AP)
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Colorfully dressed men attend the annual Gay Pride parade to celebrate Christopher Street Day in Berlin Saturday, June 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber) (credit:AP)
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A Drag Queen takes part in the Gay Pride Parade in Santiago on June 22, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ CLAUDIO SANTANA (Photo credit should read CLAUDIO SANTANA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Activists take part in the Gay Pride Parade in Santiago on June 22, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ CLAUDIO SANTANA (Photo credit should read CLAUDIO SANTANA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A group of Drag Queens take opart in the Gay Pride Parade in Santiago on June 22, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ CLAUDIO SANTANA (Photo credit should read CLAUDIO SANTANA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Activists march during the Gay Pride Parade in Santiago on June 22, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ CLAUDIO SANTANA (Photo credit should read CLAUDIO SANTANA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A participant of the Gay Pride Parade poses for photographers in Santiago on June 22, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ CLAUDIO SANTANA (Photo credit should read CLAUDIO SANTANA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Gay activist takes part in a parade in Thessaloniki, Saturday, June 15, 2013. Gay activists in Thessaloniki have organized the 2nd Thessaloniki Pride festival, a 2-day event that included a march around the center of this northern Greek city and will culminated in an open-air concert Saturday night. The organization of the event drew heavy criticism from conservative circles, led by Metropolitan Anthimos, and there was a protest march against "the sodomites" on Friday. (AP Photo/Nikolas Giakoumidis) (credit:AP)
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People take part in the Gay Pride parade in Rome, Saturday, June 15, 2013. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) (credit:AP)
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People take part to the Gay Pride parade in Rome, Saturday, June 15, 2013. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) (credit:AP)
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A man wears a wig at the 43rd L.A. Pride Parade on June 9, 2013 in West Hollywood, California. More than 400,000 people are expected to attend the parade in support of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A man wears rainbow wings at the 43rd L.A. Pride Parade on June 9, 2013 in West Hollywood, California. More than 400,000 people are expected to attend the parade in support of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Cross dresser Roxy Baltimore walks down Santa Monica Boulevard at the 43rd L.A. Pride Parade on June 9, 2013 in West Hollywood, California. More than 400,000 people are expected to attend the parade in support of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A reveller takes part in the Gay Pride Parade in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on June 02, 2013. According to organizers, near 4 million supporters are attending the event, making it the biggest gay parade in the world. AFP PHOTO / NELSON ALMEIDA (Photo credit should read NELSON ALMEIDA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A reveller takes part in the Gay Pride Parade in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on June 02, 2013. According to organizers, near 4 million supporters are attending the event, making it the biggest gay parade in the world. AFP PHOTO / NELSON ALMEIDA (Photo credit should read NELSON ALMEIDA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A reveller takes part in the Gay Pride Parade in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on June 2, 2013. According to organizers, near 4 million supporters are attending the event, making it the biggest gay parade in the world. AFP PHOTO / NELSON ALMEIDA (Photo credit should read NELSON ALMEIDA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A reveller takes part in the Gay Pride Parade in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on June 02, 2013. According to organizers, near 4 million supporters are attending the event, making it the biggest gay parade in the world. AFP PHOTO / NELSON ALMEIDA (Photo credit should read NELSON ALMEIDA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A transgender poses for a photo before the start of Argentinas annual gay pride parade in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012. Argentina has improved rights for sexual minorities over the last years, becoming the first country in Latin America to legalize same-sex marriage, and this year, the Congress approved Argentina's gender identity law, granting people the right to change their legal and physical gender identity simply because they want to, without having to undergo judicial, psychiatric and medical procedures beforehand. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) (credit:AP)
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Two men pose for a picture before Argentinas annual gay pride parade in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012. Argentina has improved rights for sexual minorities over the last years, becoming the first country in Latin America to legalize same-sex marriage, and this year, the Congress approved Argentina's gender identity law, granting people the right to change their legal and physical gender identity simply because they want to, without having to undergo judicial, psychiatric and medical procedures beforehand. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) (credit:AP)
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A participant in the Pride Parade marching through central Stockholm, Sweden Saturday Aug. 4, 2012. Several gay-pride festivals are hosted in Sweden every year. Stockholm Pride is the biggest and oldest festival, and has been organized annually since 1998. (AP Photo/Scanpix Sweden/Erik Martensson) SWEDEN OUT (credit:AP)
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A general view of atmosphere at the Maspalomas Gay Pride Parade on May 11, 2013 in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain. (Photo by Jorge Rey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A general view of atmosphere at the Maspalomas Gay Pride Parade on May 11, 2013 in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain. (Photo by Jorge Rey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A general view of atmosphere at the Maspalomas Gay Pride Parade on May 11, 2013 in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain. (Photo by Jorge Rey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A general view of atmosphere at the Maspalomas Gay Pride Parade on May 11, 2013 in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain. (Photo by Jorge Rey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A general view of atmosphere at the Maspalomas Gay Pride Parade on May 11, 2013 in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain. (Photo by Jorge Rey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A general view of atmosphere at the Maspalomas Gay Pride Parade on May 11, 2013 in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain. (Photo by Jorge Rey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A general view of atmosphere at the Maspalomas Gay Pride Parade on May 11, 2013 in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain. (Photo by Jorge Rey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)