Rainbow crosswalk 'signifies the LGBTQ community is part of Atlanta's story'

ATLANTA — Advocates are one step closer to transforming a midtown Atlanta crosswalk.

They are collecting signatures to permanently paint a rainbow at 10th Street and Piedmont Avenue.

A temporary rainbow was painted at the crosswalk during gay pride 2015 and the new request is to make it permanent.

More than 20,000 people have already signed on in support, which is more than past efforts yielded.

That support includes Atlanta City Council President Caesar Mitchell, who is also running for mayor.

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“It signifies the LGBTQ community is part of Atlanta’s story,” one supporter said.

Supporter Sarah Rose told Channel 2's Linda Stouffer that she thinks it's important to recognize the LGBTQ community with the crosswalk, like any other part of history.

"I believe this is a model for what we can do for the entire city," Mitchell said. "There are neighborhoods that may want to show their neighborhood spirit at a particular intersection and this can be the model."

Mitchell told Stouffer that the city would have to look into the legal and safety questions.

"It's ground central for the gay community," supporter David Stark said. "it's a great idea to do it again."

Organizers hope to have the new crosswalks here by October, in time for this year's pride festival.

"I think it's a lot of fun," supporter Melissa Brandley said. "It celebrates the history of their neighborhood (and is) a great opportunity. I think we should do it."

Cox Media Group