Sean Chu wants rainbow crosswalk in place for Pride Parade
Is city councillor trying to make up for social media gaffe?
Coun. Sean Chu is asking city council to paint a crosswalk in the city's southwest with rainbow colours to encourage diversity. However, some people think he is trying to compensate for a misstep on twitter that was perceived as anti-gay.
On May 23, Chu issued a tweet comparing the Irish referendum on same-sex marriage to what he called Calgary's own 'social revolution' to 'screw downtown businesses with cycle tracks'. He has since apologized for the tweet.
Chu, who represents Ward 4, says a rainbow crosswalk would be a colourful symbol of Calgary's diversity. Similar crosswalks exist in Vancouver and Toronto
The proposed site is at the intersection of 17th Avenue S.W. and 4th Street S.W., outside the area Chu represents.
Chu says the proposal is not related to the Twitter uproar.
"This has been in the works for a couple of weeks now, I'm always for human rights and equality, I haven't changed," he said.
Calgarians seem ready to accept Chu's apology.
"Is it a band-aid to fix it? Possibly, yeah," said Blair Debaar, adding "but maybe it's a move forward to show that he really does support everyone."
Chu wants the rainbow crosswalk in place in time for the city's Pride Week in early September.
The president of Pride Calgary, Stephen Wright, says Chu has not approached his organization.
"We haven't been contacted for any of that. If it does go through city council and is approved, it would be great if he would contact us," he said.
Chu's motion will be presented to city council on June 29.