Rainbow flag raised in Sydney’s Taylor Square
A GIANT rainbow flag has been raised in Sydney’s Taylor Square, flying six storeys above Oxford St to honour the importance of the area’s LGBTI community.
The 6.4m by 3.2m flag, which was erected quietly earlier today, is a precursor to the installation of permanent artwork in the area in 2018, in time for the 40th anniversary of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.
When the DA was submitted, it was expected to cost $52,000 to erect the flag.
Sydney Council had unanimously endorsed the flag’s installation after a development application for it was submitted back in July.
Labor councillor Linda Scott and Liberal councillor Christine Forster had criticised the long time frame of the proposed 2018 artwork, and it was Forster who proposed that a rainbow flag be displayed at the heart of Sydney’s traditional LGBTI neighbourhood in the meantime.
Scott, with the support of Sydney federal Labor MP Tanya Plibersek and the DIY Rainbow movement, had also initially proposed the idea if a flag to council in May 2013 as a compromise for the loss of the rainbow crossing, but it was voted down.
Scott also told the Star Observer that the idea of the rainbow flag was also voted down by council about in 2005 when Labor councillor Verity Firth moved a motion on it.
Despite this, Scott was pleased with the outcome of the newly-installed flag and Lord Mayor Clover Moore said it would help reinforce the area’s LGBTI culture and history.
“Sydney has the largest GLBTI community in Australia and while we develop a permanent public artwork this flag will say loud and clear that Sydney is a safe, inclusive city for everyone,” she said in a statement.
“Since the removal of the much-loved rainbow crossing at Taylor Square, many people have expressed a desire for a significant artwork to celebrate Sydney’s GLBTI community.”
Moore added she wanted the artwork installation due in 2018 to “bring as much colour and joy” to Oxford St as the rainbow crossing that bisected the street around Mardi Gras season in 2013.
“It should serve as a landmark, a destination and a meeting place – something people will want to photograph and share with others,” she said.
“Most importantly, it should celebrate what has been achieved and remind us how much there is still to do.”
For the past five years, a rainbow flag has been raised above Sydney Town Hall to mark the annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and Pride Week in June.
Council has also stated that it has boosted its annual Mardi Gras sponsorship by almost 20 per cent, to more than $1.5 million over three years.
I’d like to see that crosswalk be a permanent fixture. Come on Clover.
As I said, it’s not good enough!
2018 it’s like around corner
A permanent solution of something to remind for those who fought to get to this day that we all recognize Oxford St as the main Gay Square/Capital since the 1978 Riot!
I grew up in Sydney and so did Neil and we have never heard of Taylor’s square. Who is Taylor and when did that get named ? Haha. And I spent a lot of time at Paddington. Hey the 70’s were good to me.
Its the symbol of the community and those who respect it. Taylor Square is the epicentre of the community and should be there without deadline! It should be fixed like a statue!
Why do gays have to segregate themselves even more? isnt the rainbow a sign of hope and covers all humanity? Homosexuality has become such a marketing industry for the last 20 years.
Why do we need a flag :S
It’s a good idea, but can city of Sydney please stop gentrifying Oxford Street by leasing it’s shop fronts to art gallery’s and upholstery stores.
I’m with Kaz and Leon. Bring back the RAINBOW CROSSING.
Love it :)
Bwwilliant !
WTH????
Why not forever?
It’s great! We have lots in Vancouver Canada
erect more of the flags…. all over Sydney…… all ver the country…… all over the world….. we are here to stay.
Great !!
Love it! Every storm shall have its end.
Good! So they should. Sydney is the gay capital of Australia
This really ticks me off. The money to create this monstrosity could have been used in so many useful ways, but a flag…… Why?
Well at least it’s not another bike path Oh wait spoke too soon There’s another one next to kinselas now Hip hip horrray
Why till only 2018 Please
Explain
I agree with Mike Morini. Well said :)
At the moment in Australia, except in a very few places, LGBTI people are merely tolerated. We need to move beyond that grudging minimum called tolerance, through open acceptance, to outright celebration of our lives and relationships. A flag is just tokenism. When gay couples can openly and unselfconsciously walk down the street holding hands, kiss in the park, fly the rainbow flag over their home if they want to, in every town in the country, then we can talk about dismantling the very very few safe spaces we have.
GOOD about time but why only till 2018 should be for good and more off them
Yunus Zeed ya gotta win over dopey footballers here. Gotta get the colors right cause dick heads r easily distracted!
I HATE. Pastels. Please just do primary colors.
how oringal
If it promotes love then grand!
I think it would be better placed outside Tony Abbott’s bedroom window..
Miss the crossing tho!! That was the best!!
about time !
I’m very proud of the pride flag but it’s really a shame that it’s 30 years too late and Oxford Street isn’t the gaybourhood anymore…………….it’s hens parties and Kings Cross thugs. This is all because of the NSW laws.