Bristol’s rainbow crossing has neem repainted ahead of the start of this year’s Pride festival. The crossing, which is a light controlled Pelican Crossing (not a Zebra) is a chance for the city to proudly celebrating the city’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT+) community by displaying all the colours of the Pride Progress Flag.
Situated on Wine Street at the top of Union Street had the iconic rainbow painted across the ground in 2020 as a call for equality and to give visibility to the community at a time when the pandemic stopped many events taking place. With paint fading the crossing is being repainted ahead of this year’s festival with harder wearing paint. The costs and work are being covered with thanks to contractor Colas Ltd with support from Bristol Pride
Mayor Marvin Rees said: “We’re delighted that Bristol’s rainbow crossing is being refreshed this week, ahead of Bristol Pride starting this weekend, revitalising our tribute to the contribution of our local LGBTQ+ community.
Our city prides itself on being inclusive and we are committed to ensuring that Bristol is a safe space for everyone. Thanks to Colas and Bristol Pride, the Pride rainbow flag crossing in our city centre will help us continue to champion LGBTQ+ people and provide another focal point along the Pride March route.
Fifty years on from the UK’s first ever Pride March, Bristol’s looking forward to the first in-person Pride festival since 2019. It’s a brilliant chance to again celebrate diversity and take a positive stand against discrimination.”
This year sees the return to a full physical festival for Bristol Pride after 2 years of hybrid and online only events due to the pandemic, and poignantly the return of the Parade March will coincide with the 50th Anniversary of the first ever Pride March to take place in the UK and the Bristol Pride March follows a route that will cross over the crossing.
Daryn Carter MBE, Bristol Pride, said: “It’s great to have the crossing repainted in time for this year’s festival as a very visible reminder that Bristol welcomes everyone and the city’s commitment to equality and diversity. The pandemic robbed us all of the opportunities to come together and socialise and for some in the LGBT+ community that’s lead to increased isolation. The crossing is such a visible showcase for the city and has had such a positive impact since it’s unveiling last year, helping bring joy and start conversations.
It’s going to be a very special moment to have the Parade back this year after 2 years apart and to have the crossing as part of the route is very exciting. As the crossing has started to fade we’re really thankful to Colas for supporting the repainting and in turn showing their commitment and support to the community.”
The Pride Progress Flag which as also known as the inclusive flag has additional colours from the 6 stripe rainbow flag to represent the Trans community and people of colour who often face further discrimination and is a reminder that we keep working towards equality for all in order to create a society were people can just exist and be themselves without fear of prejudice and hatred just for simply existing.
Andrew Emmett, Framework Manager at Colas:
“It was our pleasure to have supported the repainting of the crossing, and to support the Pride movement in Bristol. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the UK’s first Pride march, and the first parade march in the city since the pandemic. The crossing is a symbol to mark the cities inclusivity and we’re honoured to have helped Bristol to celebrate.”
Over 50 events will take place for this year’s festival, filling the city with Pride, with the main Pride Day taking place for the first time since 2019 on Saturday 9 July on The Downs. Global Icon Carly Rae Jepsen headlines this year’s festival along with Canada’s Drag Race winner Priyanka, Alexandra Burke, Katrina of The Waves and over 100 acts across 5 stages. For all the events and info for this year head to the Bristol Pride website: www.bristolpride.co.uk
