Tag Archives: rainbow crosswalks

HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN FILES COURT INJUNCTION TO STOP RAINBOW CROSSWALKS IN SAN FRANCISCO’S CASTRO DISTRICT

Artist's rendition of the Castro Street rainbow crosswalk
Artist’s rendition of the Castro Street rainbow crosswalk

San Francisco, California (The Adobo Chronicles) – Tens of thousands will descend upon San Francisco’s gay Castro district this Sunday for the annual Castro Street Fair.  They will also be stepping onto new rainbow-colored crosswalks for the first time when traversing the intersection of 18th and Castro Streets.

The painting of the crosswalks is part of the overall Castro Street Redesign, a $4.5 Million makeover intended to return “fabulous” to the historic district.

Everything seems to be on schedule, including the unveiling of the rainbow crosswalks this Sunday. Except for one thing.

The Human Rights Capaign (HRC), the nation’s largest LGBT advocacy group, has  just filed for an emergency court injunction to stop the painting of the crosswalks in the Castro. It is a court case that could have a far-reaching effect on similar projects in other major U.S. cities like Los Angeles and Chicago.

In petitioning the court, the HRC said that the rainbow colors and flag are a sacred symbol of the worldwide LGBT community. “To paint this symbol on street pavements only to be trampled upon by pedestrians is a total desecration,” it added.

HRC president Chad Griffin told The Adobo Chronicles that his organization will fight to the very end to stop the Castro project and other similar projects in the country. “Think about it this way, ” Griffin said, “if cities start painting their pedestrian crosswalks with the U.S. flag, would Americans just sit by and do nothing to stop this desecration?”

San Francisco county supervisor Scott Wiener, who represents the Castro district,  could not be reached for comment.

In the meantime, reliable sources revealed that the next phase of the crosswalk project would be to change the stop light signals on Castro Street.  Instead of red, green and yellow lights, the warning signals will say ‘Shantay’ for walk, ‘Sashay’ for hurry up, and ‘Strike a pose,” for don’t walk.