Rainbow crosswalks all the rage in North American cities

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      If you've ever walked across Vancouver's rainbow crosswalks, you'll know how it can break up the banality of daily life.

      In addition to the symbolism celebrating LGBT diversity, the visual impact of the rainbows is just plain uplifting, especially on a rainy, grey Vancouver day.

      The permanent crosswalks, unveiled in 2013 at Davie and Bute streets in the heart of the West End's LGBT community, were Canada's first rainbow crosswalks.  

      Numerous other cities, including Calgary and Edmonton, are painting their streets with temporary rainbows in time for Pride festivities.

      Two B.C. cities are following Vancouver's lead in making colourful crosswalks permanent fixtures.

      Victoria installed three permanent rainbows painted at Pandora and Broad streets prior to Victoria Pride festivites (with a parade on July 5).

      In early June, Prince Rupert city council approved plans to paint a crosswalk at Cow Bay in rainbow colours.

      Meanwhile, two American cities now have permanent rainbows as well.

      Key West, Florida, joined the party on May 28 with a rainbow connection in the city's LGBT district.

      https://instagram.com/p/3T9qIIOqgq

      Just south of us, Seattle revealed 11 rainbow crosswalks at Capitol Hill intersections on June 23.

      Then a few days later, on June 25, Philadelphia unveiled their own permanent rainbows.

      The first rainbow crosswalks can be traced to West Hollywood in 2012.

      San Francisco, Miami Beach, and Northampton, Massachusetts, all followed suit.

      Meanwhile, bridges might be the next target for rainbow decorations. Vancouver city hall is considering the possibility of turning the Burrard Bridge into one massive rainbow. 

      Although not LGBT–specific, the famous London Bridge got its own rainbow makeover on June 23 with colourful tiles designed to brighten up the daily commute of citizens.

      https://instagram.com/p/4N_RHgl_n5/?taken-by=gemagain

      Speaking of London and rainbows, the city dressed up its Docklands Light Railway trains with rainbow colours in honour of Pride Week.

      Hmm, could rainbows be in the works for SkyTrain some day? After all, rainbows are meant to be in the sky...

      Comments

      8 Comments

      Ugh...

      Jun 29, 2015 at 2:02pm

      The rainbow cross walks actually look really nice. Now. Don't you think we've bent backwards for the gay community enough already? Will I still be listening to 'how great it is to be gay' twenty years from now?

      kootenay gal

      Jun 29, 2015 at 2:16pm

      They're small (but still a city!) so please add Castlegar, BC to your list. West Kootenays represent!!!

      rainbow+ at Bute and Davie

      Jun 29, 2015 at 3:27pm

      It's a rainbow, plus a pink strip.

      Due for a touchup, too.

      Huh?

      Jul 3, 2015 at 12:19pm

      Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Victoria, Prince Rupert, Key West, Seattle. Hardly all the rage.

      Craig Takeuchi

      Jul 3, 2015 at 12:30pm

      Huh: As mentioned, those are only a few examples, as there are numerous other temporary installations. BTW, you also missed L.A., San Francisco, Philadelphia, Miami Beach, and Northampton, Massachusetts, which were also listed.
      Did you actually read the article or just skim it?

      Ugh: Hopefully 20 years from now we won't still be having to hear comments from ignorant observers who don't realize that LGBT inclusion benefits all people, as discrimination such as homophobia and transphobia is used against all people, including straight and cisgender people.

      child80s

      Jul 5, 2015 at 1:34am

      to 80s child all this reminds me of is the plastic My Little Pony toys, tacky. Guess if you're born before or in the 90s you missed the pony ref. - please don't touch the bridge or the skytrain

      child802

      Jul 5, 2015 at 1:38am

      Craig: please don't call me cissy/pissy very insulting as noted by the 'die cis scum' crowd

      Craig Takeuchi

      Jul 5, 2015 at 11:00pm

      child802: I have no idea what you're talking about as I said none of those things and this was the first time you've posted a comment on this thread.