The city of Alexandria, Virginia, is facing criticism for its decision to paint Pride flags featuring transgender symbols on the crosswalks in the historic Old Town Alexandria area.

According to City Council member R. Kirk McPike, speaking to local publication The Zebra, these rainbow crosswalks are now a permanent feature of the area.

“Last June, in response to resident requests, I brought a memo before [the] Council, which my colleagues supported, asking staff to put together a proposal for permanent Pride street artwork,” McPike informed The Zebra. “Staff presented a proposal to us last fall, which [the] Council approved, resulting in the installation of these beautiful new crosswalks.”

He also mentioned in a tweet that the introduction of the rainbow crosswalks was accompanied by “great media fanfare” and an “exciting drag story time,” during which men dressed in drag read books and danced for children.

In addition to his position on the Alexandria City Council, McPike holds the role of chief of staff to California Democratic congressman, Rep. Mark Takano. McPike is married to a man.

Images of the flags sparked significant backlash from users of X, formerly known as Twitter.

“Every day is difficult, but June is incredibly hard if you are a parent trying to save your child from the clutches of the trans cult,” tweeted Moms for Liberty co-founder Tiffany Justice.

Writer James Lindsay described the gender ideology-promoting crosswalks as “a deliberate provocation,” while activist “Billboard Chris,” who campaigns against gender-transition procedures for children, contended that the contemporary era of LGBTQ promotion would “go down in history as the era when humans adopted a sexual deviance and child mutilation cult as the state religion.”

Republican communications adviser Sophie Delquie denounced the move as a “disgrace.”

“Historic Old Town, Alexandria painted the trans flag on the crosswalks outside City Hall, permanently,” she tweeted. “Historic Old Town was founded in 1749, making it older than Washington DC, Georgetown, and Maryland, and is a landmark to our nation’s history. What a disgrace.”

The city of Alexandria launched its “Alexandria Pride” festivities with a “Pride fair” on June 1 and a “drag story hour” held inside City Hall. Images from the drag story hour depict young children examining a book held by what appears to be a drag queen a man adorned in a wig and makeup.

“The City offers residents a variety of events and opportunities to celebrate Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer+ (LGBTQ+) Pride Month in June and to recognize LGBTQ+ people and their contributions to Alexandria’s diverse community and the nation,” the city’s website states.

“The Alexandria LGBTQ+ Task Force, in collaboration with the Alexandria Library, Department of Community and Human Services, and various community partners, hosts an annual Alexandria Pride fair,” the website continues. “Previous fairs have provided information about LGBTQ+ inclusive services in Alexandria, free and confidential health testing and vaccines, LGBTQ+ Family Storytime, art and poetry workshops, music, refreshments, and LGBTQ+ Pride swag.”