Rainbow crossing compromise flagged

The rainbow crossing might be no more, but the rainbow flag could fly over Oxford St if a City of Sydney councillor has her way.

Labor Councillor Linda Scott will table a motion at the next council meeting in May to push for the construction of a ‘Pride Flag’ and flagpole in the Taylor Square pedestrian plaza, modelled on a similar project in San Francisco’s Castro district.

In the motion, Scott calls on the council to “conduct a study into the construction of a Pride Flag in or near Taylor Square to symbolise the City’s commitment to the LGBTI community”.

“The loss of the Rainbow Crossing has removed a potent symbol for the LGBTI community in Sydney to commemorate the struggle for equal rights and celebrate its diversity,” the motion says.

Speaking to the Star Observer, Scott justified her push for a flagpole as a gesture of respect for the local LGBTI community and an acknowledgement of the importance of the continued fight for equality.

“It’s a big visual statement of support, and it gives people some idea of the important heritage of the area. It’s not a rainbow crossing, but it’s a way of having a powerful symbol there without politics,” Scott said.

“I’m a big believer in symbols, but it’s about more than that. People weren’t chalking rainbows in their driveways because they like rainbows – they did it because they support the march towards equality and they wanted to make that statement in public.”

Scott expressed doubt that the rainbow crossing would ever make a reappearance under the current state government.

“We just paid $30,000 to remove it – I didn’t want to see it go but I can’t see them changing their mind,” she said.

The motion also calls on major political parties to “at the very least” allow their members a conscience vote on same-sex marriage.

The rainbow crossing was controversially removed by Roads and Maritime Service workers in April after repeated attempts by the City of Sydney to sway roads minister Duncan Gay into letting the crossing stay failed.