Ontario legislature raises rainbow flag for duration of Sochi Olympics

TORONTO – With just five days to go until the end of the Sochi Olympics, the rainbow flag is finally flying at the Ontario legislature.

The three elected parties all agreed on Feb. 10 to ask the Speaker for permission to fly the Pride flag, but it wasn’t granted until today.

The rainbow flag is a long-standing symbol of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights and pride.

It’s been raised at various city halls and municipal buildings across Canada in a sign of solidarity after Russia passed an anti-gay law.

But Toronto Mayor Rob Ford voiced his opposition to the gesture two weeks ago because the Olympics “is not about someone’s sexual preference.”

Kathleen Wynne — Canada’s first openly gay premier — has said that the Olympics are an opportunity “to demonstrate our tolerance, diversity and respect human rights on an international stage.”

Her office has said she does not support intolerance of any group regardless of their faith or identity, and she rejects the Russian government’s discriminatory laws.