A pedestrian crossing decorated with the colors of the rainbow flag is an easy way to express pride for diversity, but it’s not without controversy. A new one recently opened in downtown Madison, Wisconsin. It’s not the first rainbow crossing in the city, but it is the first permanent one. The color-coded stripes are now a fixture at State Street and Capitol Square, where the Madison Night Market takes place every Thursday. Former alderman Lindsay Lemmer and current alder Patrick Heck pushed for the crosswalk for years, and Friends of the Madison Art Commission raised the funds necessary to see it through. Go here https://decorativecrossing.co.uk/

Another rainbow crossing has just opened in Wimbledon. Situated outside New Wimbledon Theatre, the crossing aims to celebrate the LGBTQ community and encourage diversity in the area. Its updated ‘Progress Pride’ design features additional colours to represent black and trans pride.

Rainbow Crossings: Beyond Street Safety, Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion”

For a brief time in 2013 a rainbow striped crossing decorated Taylor Square in Sydney’s inner city suburb of Darlinghurst. It was a hit for the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade, but it wasn’t to last. The crossing was removed by the previous Roads Minister after it appeared in countless photos on social media.

Since then, the idea has caught on around the world. It’s been celebrated by LGBT communities and become a symbol of resistance against hate crime. But rainbow crossings have also been the target of attacks and vandalism. And some have even been hosed down by local council workers.