UK’s first pedestrian crossing permanently painted in the colours of the transgender flag is unveiled in south London
- The mural has been permanently painted in the town centre of Sutton, London
- Transgender flag was created in 1999 and features colours blue, pink and white
- It is first of its kind in UK and follows from rainbow crossing during Pride month
The UK’s first pedestrian crossing painted the colours of the transgender flag has been unveiled in London.
The mural has been permanently painted in Sutton town centre to coincide with the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia which was celebrated yesterday.
The transgender crossing is the first of its kind in the UK and comes after the introduction of rainbow crossings during Pride month in 2014.
The cost of repainting the crossing is not known.
The UK’s first pedestrian crossing painted the colours of the transgender flag has been unveiled in Sutton, London (pictured)
The transgender flag was created in 1999 and comprises the colours blue to represent males, pink to represent females and white to represent those who are transitioning, intersex or consider themselves as having an unidentified gender.
Sutton Council said the crossing is a visible celebration of the transgender community and a ‘sign of the inclusivity of the borough’.
It added it would also form part of Sutton’s work to improve local streets and make walking and cycling more appealing as well as brightening the area ‘and provide a colourful welcome’.
Councillor Jake Short, Sutton Council’s Lead Member for Equalities, said: ‘I am delighted to see this celebration of the richness and diversity that our transgender community brings to Sutton.
‘Until transgender people and other minority groups are able to live without fear of discrimination or hate, we must continue to demonstrate our support and stand with them to clearly demonstrate our commitment to eliminating transphobia.’
The transgender crossing comes after the introduction of rainbow crossings (pictured) during Pride month in recent years
Rachel Simpkins, Sutton LGBTQ+ Forum’s Trans Project Lead, said: ‘The Sutton LGBTQ+ Forum has always supported our Trans community and in 2019 set up the TranSutton Group.
‘We offer support, advice and engage with the Trans community not only from Sutton but also its neighbouring boroughs.
‘Our hope is that this Trans crossing will pave the way for more Trans crossings around the UK which in turn would lead to more inclusivity in our society at large.’
The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia is observed on May 17 and is a worldwide celebration of sexual and gender diversities.
The first transgender flag pedestrian crossing to be introduced in Europe was in the Dutch city of Almere in 2019.
Social Democrat politician Jerzy Soetekouw said at the unveiling: ‘In Almere, everyone is free to be who they want to be. This is reinforced by the zebra crossings.’