An artist’s rendition of Sydney’s new rainbow crossing. | Photo: Supplied
The city of Sydney in Australia will get a brand new rainbow crossing in the city’s LGBTI hub.
A rainbow crossing will be painted at the iconic Taylor Square at the corner of Bourke and Campbell streets.
The announcement comes on the eve of the 40th anniversary of the first Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. The first Mardi Gras happened on 24 June, 1978.
Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore announced the crossing today saying it was a victory for Sydney’s LGBTQI community.
‘Our beautiful Oxford Street rainbow crossing became a global sensation in 2013 and it was devastating when it was removed with no warning in the middle of the night,’ Moore said.
‘The crossing will be reviewed after six months by the RMS (Roads and Maritime Services) and if it has proved to be as safe as we hope it will be, then we will be able to keep it there permanently.’
Reinstalling a rainbow crossing in Sydney has been a contentious debate, with the Lord Mayor there was a lot of work behind the scenes to get the latest one approved.
Sydney’s first rainbow crossing appeared at a different part of Taylor Square in February 2013.
The state government removed it on 10 April that year without warning.
‘I am excited that we are so close to achieving the outcome we have worked so hard behind the scenes to achieve – the rainbow crossing returned as a permanent pride artwork in Sydney,’ Moore said.
‘Not only will this crossing be a colourful celebration of our LGBTQI community but it will also be a trial of new sensors to give pedestrians as much crossing time as possible.’
Construction on the crossing will start in October and is expected to take three months.
DIY Rainbow
After the state government removed the original rainbow crossing in 2013, James ‘Breko’ Brechney founded the DIY Rainbow movement.
The movement encouraged local residents to put up their own rainbow crossings around Sydney using chalk to protest the removal of the official crossing.
Breko told Gay Star News he was thrilled Sydney was getting a new rainbow crossing.
‘I’m so happy and excited that a new Rainbow Crossing is coming to Taylor Square,’ he said.
‘Credit to the City of Sydney for investing in our LGTBQI community and this is a great location next to the Rainbow Flag.
‘As we know from the 2013 experiment, safety reviews can be very subjective things, and a successful crossing can be it’s own demise. So I am really excited for this Rainbow Crossing and hope all parties are really invested in keeping it for years to come.’
