Rainbow reminder of historic moment for equality

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Plans are afoot to paint a 90-metre rainbow path at Prince Alfred Park in Surry Hills to commemorate the legalisation of same-sex marriage in Australia.

Under the proposal, bands of colour will be painted over an existing footpath in the area recently renamed Equality Green. The name and new rainbow footpath honour the moment almost three years ago when 30,000 people gathered on the lawn to hear the results of Australia’s marriage equality postal survey.

Prince Alfred Park 15 November 2017
Advocates for marriage equality gather at Prince Alfred Park, Sydney to show their supports for the YES vote as people wait for the verdict of the postal vote on same sex marriage, on 15 November 2017.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore was in the park to celebrate the historic event on 15 November 2017.

“I thought it was a fabulous idea when the Surry Hills Creative Precinct suggested we paint a bright rainbow on Equality Green,” the Lord Mayor said.

“This is a permanent tribute to the moment when more than 30,000 Sydneysiders gathered together to hear the results of the marriage equality postal survey in 2017.

“The path will represent both the progress we have made towards equality and the long way to go before our sglmg communities are free of discrimination.

“I look forward to the day when we can safely gather again – somewhere over the rainbow!”

The Surry Hills Creative Precinct proposed the idea of a rainbow path in 2019.

“Surry Hills has long been at the vanguard of diversity and inclusivity, and the name Equality Green is a great reflection of that,” said Leigh Harris, President of the Surry Hills Creative Precinct.

“Having the rainbow walk painted at the site will be a permanent reminder of our contribution to that historic change.”

It follows last year’s installation of a rainbow crossing that curves around the intersection of Bourke and Campbell streets in Darlinghurst – a tribute to the area’s close links with LGBTIQ communities.

Have your say at www.city.sydney/rainbow-path before 5pm Sunday 29 November 2020.