The city of South Portland, Maine, is showing some Pride with a trio of crosswalks painted in the colors of the rainbow flag.
“I am proud that South Portland is a city where we can show this display of support during Pride Month for our LGBTQ+ community members,” City Manager Scott Morelli told the Portland Press Herald.
Here’s the Press Herald scoop:
On June 25, public works employees painted three crosswalks – one behind City Hall, one on the corner of Anthoine Street and Broadway, and one in front of South Portland High School – in vivid colors in recognition of Pride Month in June.
City Councilor Katelyn Bruzgo, who identifies as gay, said as far back as when she was first running for office she had wanted to see South Portland offer some sort of visible symbol of LGBTQ support, just as other communities have traditionally done, a goal she pursued even after becoming a councilor.
“We want to make sure the LGBTQ community know that we see them, and we support them, and make sure they feel that,” she said.
At the time, however, the state Department of Transportation had prohibited painting crosswalks. That changed this year, when City Manager Scott Morelli discovered the state had amended its rules to allow the painting, so he said he worked with Bruzgo to make it happen.
“I am proud that South Portland is a city where we can show this display of support during Pride Month for our LGBTQ+ community members,” Morelli said.
Read the full story from the Portland Press Herald here.
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