Dallas approves rainbow crossings in LGBT neighbourhood to mark Pride
Rainbow crosswalks will be installed in Dallas, Texas, to mark the end of Pride month.
The city council voted unanimously in favour of constructing the crosswalks in the city’s historic LGBT neighbourhood Oak Lawn.
Council member Adam Medrano told the Dallas Morning News that the walkways will include rainbow lights, as well as a monument.
The overall design to the sidewalks is reportedly expected to cost $128,000 (£101,000).
The GLBT Chamber of Commerce Foundation, which supports LGBT+ businesses, has already raised $70,000 for the project.
Chris Luna, who was elected as one of the city council’s first openly gay members, told the newspaper the crosswalks are “a sign of community and belonging that people will relate to.”
He added: “It also designates this as a safe space.”
Earlier this month, a Trump supporter was arrested on suspicion of vandalising a rainbow crossing in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Anthony Morgan, 32, is believed to have been part of a group of bikers who were filmed performing burnouts over the Route 66 road crossing, which was unveiled at the start of June to celebrate Pride month.
The city had spent $30,000 on four rainbow crossings ahead of the city’s Pride festivities.
The road markings were intended to last several years, but were defaced on June 5, just days after being unveiled.
Morgan, 32, was arrested and charged with criminal damage to property and conspiracy to commit criminal damage to property.
According to the Albuquerque Journal, he was identified thanks to pictures he uploaded on his Instagram, which were compared to the video of the incident.
In his Instagram photos, Morgan can be seen wearing a ‘Make America Great Again’ hat.
