Rainbow treatment planned for High Street crossing
A ‘RAINBOW’ crossing could be installed in Portishead High Street to mark LGBTQ history month.
Openly gay local councillor Huw James has launched a petition calling for North Somerset Council and Portishead Town Council to replace the traditional crossing on the High Street with a rainbow crossing.
The idea is to replace the traditional black and white steps of the crossing with the colours of the rainbow.
Liberal Democrat Mr James, 24, hopes that if agreed and funding found, the crossing – which would be a permanent feature – could be in place by the summer.
Rainbow crossings celebrating an area’s LGBTQ community already exist in other areas including Sutton and Southwark in London and at York University.
Mr James said: “We want Portishead to be an inclusive town, where LGBTQ residents feel safe and welcome. There’s no place for hate in Portishead.
“This would be a meaningful visual symbol that people in Portishead stand for equality and that LGBTQ people are not alone.
“The crossing will brighten people’s day and be a way of celebrating diversity in Portishead and raising awareness about the issues still faced by the lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or trans+ (LGBT+) community, all over the world.
“We support the creation of rainbow crossings across North Somerset wherever communities could benefit from them.”
Mr James has already discussed the ideas with highways officers at North Somerset Council and funding would have to be found for the project.
LGBTQ History Month runs throughout February.
Mr James said: “This LGBTQ
History Month, I wanted to focus on improving LGBTQ visibility and outreach during lockdown.
“I have heard of a number of hate incidents within our town recently and thought that a rainbow crossing at the heart of Portishead would be a great way to let people know that they are not alone, and that Portishead is an inclusive town.”
It is hoped that if the scheme goes ahead, rainbow crossings could pop up at other towns and villages across North Somerset.
Director Weston-super-Mare Pride CIC and Inclusion Officer UK Pride Organisers Network Nigel Briers said: “I am fully supportive of a crossing in Portishead and across the region to support the visibility of the LGBTQ+ community.”
It is hoped that the crossing will be in place in time for the annual Pride celebrations across the region.