Calgary joined several other Canadian communities and raised the rainbow flag at City Hall on Friday in support of LGBTQ communities around the world.

The movement gained global momentum on day one of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics in response to Russia’s position on gay rights.

Last year, Russia introduced a law that outlawed the "propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations," that effectively forbids people from discussing homosexuality or taking part in pride parades.

In recent weeks, President Vladimir Putin and Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak have said that athletes don't have to worry about breaking the law as long as homosexuals keep their hands off children.

Rights activists said there has been an increase in harassment and abuse of homosexuals ever since the law was passed. Homosexuality was a crime in the former Soviet Union and decriminalized in Russia in 1993.

In Calgary, several groups submitted the paperwork to the city to have the flag displayed and crews hoisted it into position on Friday.

“I think it’s wonderful that we actually have the flag up, other cities have done it and basically seeing that Calgary has finally put it up just shows great support from the city to the gay, lesbian and trans-gender individuals participating in the games,” said Steve Polyak from Gay Calgary.

Polyak says in the past there was reluctance to put the flag up but that in recent years city officials have been more open to the idea.

“it’s nice to see with Mayor Nenshi as well as our mayor prior, that it’s been easy to do, “said Polyak. “Now it’s basically a lot more accepting and it just shows how far Calgary has come even with the way that the gay community is now accepted into straight establishments and whatnot.”

Flags were raised in several others cities including, Edmonton, Vancouver, Ottawa, Montreal and St. John’s.

Even Google responded and posted a rainbow, sports themed graphic on its browser with the Olympic Charter below it.

The flag will fly in front of Calgary’s City Hall for the duration of the games.

(With files from ctvnews.ca & Chris Epp)