Colourful crossing Rainbow marks the start of Pride month in city
B❝
We’re absolutely thrilled with it ... It’s a very real and permanent sign that Bristol City Council is committed to LGBT+ equality and to Bristol Pride
Andrew Roberts, marketing manager for Bristol Pride.
RISTOL’S first rainbow crossing has been painted in the city centre.
The colourful crossing has appeared on Wine Street, near Castle Park, to mark the return of Bristol Pride.
Organisers of the annual festival hope it will represent “visibility” for the LGBTQ+ community.
The chevron in the crossing symbolises that progress in society still needs to be made, states information on Bristol Pride’s website.
The crossing is located near to where the Pride march usually gets under way – although this year’s parade has been cancelled due to the delay to the roadmap out of lockdown.
A programme of socially distanced events will still be taking place across the city from July 3, however, including a cabaret show, comedy night, queer vision film festival and more.
“We have been working to have a rainbow crossing installed in the city since 2019 and we’re absolutely thrilled with it,” said Andrew Roberts, marketing manager for Bristol Pride.
“It’s a very real and permanent sign that Bristol City Council is committed to LGBT+ equality and to Bristol Pride. Visibility for the community is still an issue and the impact of Covid has meant we are all feeling isolated and disconnected from each other.
“As we celebrate the start of Bristol Pride Festival, today is also the last day of what has become Pride Month and most organisations will take down their rainbows for another year, but not here.
“The crossing will be a positive, unmissable reminder to celebrate diversity in all its forms and for us all to step up and stand up against prejudice and hate as we keep striving towards creating a better society for all.”
Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees has shown his support for the new crossing.
He said: “Bristol is a city that prides itself on its inclusivity, so I’m very pleased to announce that we’ve decided to mark the start of Pride month this July with a tribute to the LGBT+ community.
“We’ll work with LGBT+ groups to champion their cause and interests and work with schools, the NHS, the police, and other groups to ensure Bristol is a safe space for LGBT+ people.”
A rainbow crossing was painted in Gloucester in April following an initiative from civic leaders.
Other such crossings can be found in London, Vancouver, Paris and Sydney.
A temporary road crossing was set up in Totnes, Devon, in 2017 by social enterprise Proud2Be – but plans to make it permanent were blocked by local councillors over concerns the markings could be seen as “ambiguous”.