Good and wholesome news today! The iconic Oxford Street rainbow pedestrian crossing that garnered global excitement back in 2013 is returning to Sydney on Sunday.
The reinstatement of the symbolic rainbow crossing is an acknowledgment and celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community and it falls on the eve of the 40th anniversary of the first Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.
The return of the glorious rainbow crossing was announced by Lord Mayor Clover Moore and Member for Sydney Alex Greenwich.
Moore publicly hit out at the New South Wales government in 2013 when the original rainbow crossing disappeared overnight.
“It was devastating when it was removed with no warning in the middle of the night,” the Lord Mayor said.
Since the removal of the original rainbow was excused by claims that it was a “safety hazard”, the Lord Mayor has explicitly outlined that the rainbow will in fact be a safety benefit for pedestrians. Nice.
“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.”
After Australia gave an emphatic Yes to marriage equality in last year’s postal vote, it’s the perfect time for the rainbow’s victorious return.
