The City of Whitehorse is flying a rainbow flag for the duration of the Olympics.
City halls across the country raised the gay pride symbol Friday in a reaction to Russia’s laws against gay propaganda.
Coun. Jocelyn Curteanu suggested the idea to Whitehorse council, said Mayor Dan Curtis in an interview Friday.
“It was just an instantaneous response. We don’t often unanimously agree on anything, but in this case there was no hesitation. People chimed in right away and said it was a wonderful opportunity to show some support and kind of share the love a little bit, and that’s what we’re hoping to do.”
While the flags went up with little fanfare in at least a dozen cities across the country, controversy erupted in Toronto when the mayor, Rob Ford, ordered the flag taken down.
He was later told that he has no authority to decide if the flag comes down.
As of Monday morning, Canada led the medal count with three gold, three silver and one bronze at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.
Whitehorse’s Emily Nishikawa is the lone Yukoner competing at the games.
On Saturday she was the fastest Canadian skier in the 15-kilometre skiathalon, coming in 42nd overall.
Contact Jacqueline Ronson at jronson@yukon-news.com