Neutrality Paints Crosswalks White

Barrhead’s Pride crosswalk is not about neutrality as Caitlin Clarke claims.

What is neutrality? Merriam Webster’s online dictionary defines neutral as “not engaged on either side.” To remain neutral means that one will not participate in controversies of a political, racial, religious or ideological nature. Do not get involved.

That is not what is going on with the painting of the crosswalks in Barrhead.

Clarke, who spearheaded the painting of the Pride crosswalk in Barrhead said “the world is not neutral if they are homosexual or non-cis gendered people… If the world were truly neutral, it wouldn’t matter, but it does, so this crosswalk is a pathway to neutrality.”1

However, neutrality is not being promoted by allowing decorative crosswalks to be painted with the symbols or flags of various groups or organizations. ereas crosswalks that simply adhere to the Alberta Highway Pavement Marking Guide, solid white lines marking both edges of the crosswalk or zebra markings, would be neutral. Crosswalks painted with the images and flags representing differing groups highlights our difference and creates division among residents.

Clarke pointed out that this isn’t just about Pride, but that the town has a policy in place so that any group can apply to paint a crosswalk. However, the Decorative Crosswalk Policy itself is somewhat counterproductive and contradictory, not at all promoting the neutrality Clarke speaks about. Town Council claims the policy is “a way to enhance the beauty of the Town’s landscape”, to “add colour and vibrancy to the Town’s streets.”

However, based on the comments of Coun. Assaf, that is not the actual goal of the policy. During the meeting wherein the Pride crosswalk was approved and after discussion about creating a decorative crosswalk policy, he is quoted in the Barrhead Leader, “We want to send out the message that Barrhead is an all-inclusive community. The intersection is so perfect because we could have a Pride crosswalk going one way, another celebrating and bringing attention to Indigenous issues, one for our disabilities coalition, and one for our Legion members recognizing our veterans.” 2

The approval of these crosswalks is far from neutral and not simply for decorative purposes.

OutProud stated “The crosswalk allow (sic) 2SLGBT+ individuals the opportunity to see themselves within their community, and the broader community gets to see families outside the traditional.” This is not about beautifying the town as per the Town’s policy.

The Accessibility Coalition of Barrhead submitted a proposal to paint a crosswalk, not simply to decorate and enhance the beauty of the Town of Barrhead, but to “raise awareness, foster inclusivity, and advocate for a more equitable society.”

A crosswalk painted for the Legion would not be neutral or simply decorative either. It would be painted to serve the purpose of creating awareness for our veterans.

While these causes are not all divisive, they are not serving neutral purposes. The approval of the crosswalks simply does not follow the policy statement of the Decorative Crosswalk Policy.

Town Council is allowing our town to be used as a billboard for various groups, communities and organizations.

So, no, Ms. Clarke, this crosswalk is not a pathway to neutrality, it is a pathway to division. Advertising on behalf of a controversial movement is not neutral. No flag is neutral, including the pride flag, as they always stand for, represent, and promote certain things. Allowing organizations and groups to paint crosswalks will lead us down a road of societal division and tension.

We need neutrality in public places.


1 Kerton, B. (2024, June 4). Supporting Barrhead's 2SLGTBQ+ community with paint. Barrhead Leader [Online]. Retrieved from https://www.townandcountrytoday.com/barrhead-news/supporting-barrheads-2slgtbq-community-with-paint-8954987

2 Kerton, B. (2024, March 29). Northern Alberta town unanimously approves Pride crosswalk. Barrhead Leader [Online]. Retrieved from https://www.townandcountrytoday.com/barrhead-news/barrhead-pride-crosswalk-a-go-for-june-8521114 Barrhead’s Pride crosswalk is not about neutrality as Caitlin Clarke claims.

What is neutrality? Merriam Webster’s online dictionary defines neutral as “not engaged on either side.” To remain neutral means that one will not participate in controversies of a political, racial, religious or ideological nature. Do not get involved.

That is not what is going on with the painting of the crosswalks in Barrhead.

Clarke, who spearheaded the painting of the Pride crosswalk in Barrhead said “the world is not neutral if they are homosexual or non-cis gendered people… If the world were truly neutral, it wouldn’t matter, but it does, so this crosswalk is a pathway to neutrality.”1

However, neutrality is not being promoted by allowing decorative crosswalks to be painted with the symbols or flags of various groups or organizations. ereas crosswalks that simply adhere to the Alberta Highway Pavement Marking Guide, solid white lines marking both edges of the crosswalk or zebra markings, would be neutral. Crosswalks painted with the images and flags representing differing groups highlights our difference and creates division among residents.

Clarke pointed out that this isn’t just about Pride, but that the town has a policy in place so that any group can apply to paint a crosswalk. However, the Decorative Crosswalk Policy itself is somewhat counterproductive and contradictory, not at all promoting the neutrality Clarke speaks about. Town Council claims the policy is “a way to enhance the beauty of the Town’s landscape”, to “add colour and vibrancy to the Town’s streets.”

However, based on the comments of Coun. Assaf, that is not the actual goal of the policy. During the meeting wherein the Pride crosswalk was approved and after discussion about creating a decorative crosswalk policy, he is quoted in the Barrhead Leader, “We want to send out the message that Barrhead is an all-inclusive community. The intersection is so perfect because we could have a Pride crosswalk going one way, another celebrating and bringing attention to Indigenous issues, one for our disabilities coalition, and one for our Legion members recognizing our veterans.” 2

The approval of these crosswalks is far from neutral and not simply for decorative purposes.

OutProud stated “The crosswalk allow (sic) 2SLGBT+ individuals the opportunity to see themselves within their community, and the broader community gets to see families outside the traditional.” This is not about beautifying the town as per the Town’s policy.

The Accessibility Coalition of Barrhead submitted a proposal to paint a crosswalk, not simply to decorate and enhance the beauty of the Town of Barrhead, but to “raise awareness, foster inclusivity, and advocate for a more equitable society.”

A crosswalk painted for the Legion would not be neutral or simply decorative either. It would be painted to serve the purpose of creating awareness for our veterans.

While these causes are not all divisive, they are not serving neutral purposes. The approval of the crosswalks simply does not follow the policy statement of the Decorative Crosswalk Policy.

Town Council is allowing our town to be used as a billboard for various groups, communities and organizations.

So, no, Ms. Clarke, this crosswalk is not a pathway to neutrality, it is a pathway to division. Advertising on behalf of a controversial movement is not neutral. No flag is neutral, including the pride flag, as they always stand for, represent, and promote certain things. Allowing organizations and groups to paint crosswalks will lead us down a road of societal division and tension.

We need neutrality in public places.


1 Kerton, B. (2024, June 4). Supporting Barrhead's 2SLGTBQ+ community with paint. Barrhead Leader [Online]. Retrieved from https://www.townandcountrytoday.com/barrhead-news/supporting-barrheads-2slgtbq-community-with-paint-8954987

2 Kerton, B. (2024, March 29). Northern Alberta town unanimously approves Pride crosswalk. Barrhead Leader [Online]. Retrieved from https://www.townandcountrytoday.com/barrhead-news/barrhead-pride-crosswalk-a-go-for-june-8521114 Barrhead’s Pride crosswalk is not about neutrality as Caitlin Clarke claims.

What is neutrality? Merriam Webster’s online dictionary defines neutral as “not engaged on either side.” To remain neutral means that one will not participate in controversies of a political, racial, religious or ideological nature. Do not get involved.

That is not what is going on with the painting of the crosswalks in Barrhead.

Clarke, who spearheaded the painting of the Pride crosswalk in Barrhead said “the world is not neutral if they are homosexual or non-cis gendered people… If the world were truly neutral, it wouldn’t matter, but it does, so this crosswalk is a pathway to neutrality.”1

However, neutrality is not being promoted by allowing decorative crosswalks to be painted with the symbols or flags of various groups or organizations. ereas crosswalks that simply adhere to the Alberta Highway Pavement Marking Guide, solid white lines marking both edges of the crosswalk or zebra markings, would be neutral. Crosswalks painted with the images and flags representing differing groups highlights our difference and creates division among residents.

Clarke pointed out that this isn’t just about Pride, but that the town has a policy in place so that any group can apply to paint a crosswalk. However, the Decorative Crosswalk Policy itself is somewhat counterproductive and contradictory, not at all promoting the neutrality Clarke speaks about. Town Council claims the policy is “a way to enhance the beauty of the Town’s landscape”, to “add colour and vibrancy to the Town’s streets.”

However, based on the comments of Coun. Assaf, that is not the actual goal of the policy. During the meeting wherein the Pride crosswalk was approved and after discussion about creating a decorative crosswalk policy, he is quoted in the Barrhead Leader, “We want to send out the message that Barrhead is an all-inclusive community. The intersection is so perfect because we could have a Pride crosswalk going one way, another celebrating and bringing attention to Indigenous issues, one for our disabilities coalition, and one for our Legion members recognizing our veterans.” 2

The approval of these crosswalks is far from neutral and not simply for decorative purposes.

OutProud stated “The crosswalk allow (sic) 2SLGBT+ individuals the opportunity to see themselves within their community, and the broader community gets to see families outside the traditional.” This is not about beautifying the town as per the Town’s policy.

The Accessibility Coalition of Barrhead submitted a proposal to paint a crosswalk, not simply to decorate and enhance the beauty of the Town of Barrhead, but to “raise awareness, foster inclusivity, and advocate for a more equitable society.”

A crosswalk painted for the Legion would not be neutral or simply decorative either. It would be painted to serve the purpose of creating awareness for our veterans.

While these causes are not all divisive, they are not serving neutral purposes. The approval of the crosswalks simply does not follow the policy statement of the Decorative Crosswalk Policy.

Town Council is allowing our town to be used as a billboard for various groups, communities and organizations.

So, no, Ms. Clarke, this crosswalk is not a pathway to neutrality, it is a pathway to division. Advertising on behalf of a controversial movement is not neutral. No flag is neutral, including the pride flag, as they always stand for, represent, and promote certain things. Allowing organizations and groups to paint crosswalks will lead us down a road of societal division and tension.

We need neutrality in public places.


1 Kerton, B. (2024, June 4). Supporting Barrhead's 2SLGTBQ+ community with paint. Barrhead Leader [Online]. Retrieved from https://www.townandcountrytoday.com/barrhead-news/supporting-barrheads-2slgtbq-community-with-paint-8954987

2 Kerton, B. (2024, March 29). Northern Alberta town unanimously approves Pride crosswalk. Barrhead Leader [Online]. Retrieved from https://www.townandcountrytoday.com/barrhead-news/barrhead-pride-crosswalk-a-go-for-june-8521114