Puffin crossing painted with rainbow flag in tribute to Bristol Pride
The crossing has been painted as a message that everyone is welcome in Bristol
A puffin crossing in Bristol has been painted in the colours of the rainbow flag as a tribute to Bristol Pride.
It's on Wine Street at Castle Park, with the event to celebrate the LGBTQ+ set to start on Saturday.
Events will be held for two weeks from Saturday July 3 to Friday July 16, though the traditional Pride Parade has been cancelled because of coronavirus restrictions.
Mayor Marvin Rees said: “We are delighted to mark the start of Pride month with a rainbow crossing that will create a tribute to the LGBTQ+ community who bring so much diversity and vibrancy to our city.
"Bristol prides itself on being inclusive and we are committed to ensuring it is a safe space for everyone.
"Displaying the Pride rainbow flag in this busy city centre location will help us to declare that Bristol welcomes and champions LGBTQ+ people.
Daryn Carter MBE, from Bristol Pride, said: “We are so excited to have a rainbow crossing installed in Bristol as we launch this year’s Bristol Pride festival.
"The crossing will serve as a reminder that Bristol welcomes everyone and the city’s commitment to equality and we’re thankful to Bristol City Council for making this happen.
“Visibility for the LGBT+ community is still an issue and the impact of Covid has meant we are all feeling isolated and disconnected from each other.
"It will be a positive, unmissable reminder to celebrate diversity in all its forms and for us all to step up and stand up against prejudice and hate, as we keep striving towards creating a better society for all.”
The rainbow crossing uses all the colours from the Pride Progress Flag, but it was decided not to use the chevron, amid fears some pedestrians might confuse it with an arrow.
Bristol City Hall will also be flying the rainbow flag and the building will be lit up with the colours of the rainbow during the Pride festival period.