The City of Sydney has finished work on a new colourful Progress Pride flag intersection at Taylor Square in time for the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras festival.
Announced last year, the new rainbow crossing is at Taylor Square where Forbes and Bourke streets meet outside Qtopia, Sydney’s queer history museum and cultural hub.
Now the arched roads on both sides of Oxford Street at Taylor Square are painted in the colourful Progress Pride flag design.
Sydney’s original rainbow crossing is on the other side of Taylor Square on Campbell Street. That crossing was refreshed and updated with a Progress Pride flag design in June.
The design adds black, brown, pink, white and blue stripes to represent people of colour and trans and gender-diverse people.
On Friday afternoon (February 14), Lord Mayor Clover Moore will officially launch the new crossing.
That day she’ll raise the Progress Pride flag above Sydney Town Hall to kick off this year’s Mardi Gras.
“Sydney is a welcoming and safe city that loudly and proudly supports LGBTIQA+ locals and visitors,” Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.
“This is yet another reminder of the iconic Oxford Street precinct’s connection to pride, identity, culture and community.
“I hope everyone dancing past at this year’s Mardi Gras Parade enjoys this new, joyous celebration of rainbow Sydney.”
Image: City of SydneyNew rainbow crossing leads to Qtopia Sydney
The new permanent rainbow crossing at Bourke and Forbes streets in Darlinghurst leads pedestrians to Qtopia Sydney.
The museum opened in 2023 at the former Darlinghurst police station and surrounding buildings.
Qtopia Sydney CEO Greg Fisher said he’s so thrilled to see the rainbow crossing installation completed.
“It connects Qtopia Sydney with Oxford Street and signifies a safe inclusive area,” he said.
“It adds to our activation of The Substation and Toilet Block on Taylor Square. Over 15,000 people enjoyed our exhibitions and performances there in 2024.”
Rainbow Precinct chairperson Shane Warren said the Progress Pride rainbow crossing is a “powerful landmark of acceptance.”
“There’s something magical about a splash of colour under your feet – especially when it’s the Progress Pride flag paving your way,” Shane said.
“Each stripe declares, ‘Welcome! Be you, all of you’ as they tell the stories of history, resilience, and celebration.
“Come on down to take a happy snap and enjoy all that the Rainbow Precinct has to offer.”
The 2025 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival will launch on Friday (February 14) and will run until Sunday, March 2, 2025.
For the latest LGBTIQA+ Sister Girl and Brother Boy news, entertainment, community stories in Australia, visit qnews.com.au. Check out our latest magazines or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagra
