The rainbow crossing has become a fixture at gay pride events worldwide, with many now permanent installations. The design was inspired by the rainbow flag, designed by Gilbert Baker in 1978, and has been adopted as a symbol of gay rights. Some have been the subject of attacks and vandalism, but others are embraced as a positive expression of diversity and tolerance.

A rainbow crosswalk has been installed at RAF Brize Norton in the UK, to link walking routes and improve safety near the main entrance gate. It was unveiled on March 31st, Transgender Visibility Day, and has been praised as a sign of inclusivity in the military. Find out https://creativecrosswalks.co.uk/

Beyond Symbolism: The Cultural Significance of Rainbow Crossings

It’s worth noting that despite the color, this crosswalk doesn’t violate any regulations set out in the US Federal Highway Administration’s road marking standards (see Chapter 90). This is because the colors don’t exceed any minimum saturation levels that could be considered as being too bright. Also, because the crosswalk is essentially a standard zebra crossing painted on top of a standard black or red surface, it would be difficult to mistake for anything else unless there was significant damage done to the road surface itself.

A similar design has been installed in Madison, Wisconsin, USA. While the local government lacked the funds to paint the rainbow on the sidewalks, it was able to use a similar technique, thermoplasty, which involves heating and melting asphalt to change its color, to create a pedestrian crossing at 12th and Locust Street. It’s a subtle, effective way to show that the City of Madison welcomes its LGBTQIA community members, and is openly supportive of them.