Rainbow Crosswalk Unveiled In Norwalk

NORWALK, CT — Mayor Harry Rilling, Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff and others joined together Tuesday afternoon for the unveiling of a rainbow crosswalk outside Mathews Park.

City officials said the colorful crosswalk's four sections, which were installed inside the existing brick crosswalk, proudly showcase that Norwalk is a welcoming city to all, and specifically the LGBTQ community.

"It's really important because it shows we are a unified community," Rilling said. "In the word 'community,' there's the word 'unity,' and there is no community without unity, people working together and respecting each other."

The project was the result of a partnership between the city and the Triangle Community Center, the latter of which "empowers and advocates for LGBTQ people in Connecticut through programming focused on health, community and learning," according to their website.

According to Duff, the crosswalk reflects the values of both the city and the state of Connecticut.

"We're a place that values equity and equality, and [the crosswalk] will be a symbol not only during Pride Month, but it will be a symbol 12 months out of the year," Duff said. "Connecticut's always been a welcoming place, and this will be a constant reminder that as people come into Connecticut, they'll know that Norwalk and the state is a place where they feel welcome, they feel warm and they feel loved."

Colin Hostin, president of the Triangle Community Center's board of directors, said it was amazing to see the crosswalk finished and to share it with the large group of supporters present for the ribbon cutting ceremony.

"I feel it on a very personal level as a proud gay man," Hostin said, "but I think I feel it way more for the kids: the 12 and 13-year-olds who are exploring their identity and thinking about how they can be accepted in this world, and seeing this very visible outward show of welcoming and diversity, I think I'm most excited for them."

Hostin said the project took a little over two years to complete, steps for which included getting financial and Common Council approval and finding the right vendor to perform the work. He also noted the city was an "amazing partner" for this project.

"We are very lucky," Hostin said. "We don't take for granted we have a mayor [and] a council who are extremely supportive of LGBT equality."

Rilling and others gathered cut a rainbow ribbon during the ceremony to mark the occasion.

"We have so many different people in our city," Rilling said, "whether it's our ethnic background, whether it's their gender preference, whether it's their religion, and we have to understand that we are diverse and that we do want to understand each other's differences and respect them and celebrate them, as well as celebrating those things that make us the same."

State Rep. Lucy Dathan (Norwalk/New Canaan) noted the new crosswalk's location was important, as it can act as a juncture between the south, east and west areas of Norwalk, as well as the coast.

"This is a year-long symbol," Dathan said, "taking pride from the month of June to 365 days a year."

For Hostin, the crosswalk is not just an important symbol for the city, but also a work of art.

"For anybody who's, like, wondering," Hostin said, "and maybe [has] questions and maybe [is] not sure if this is the right thing to do, really it's worth coming down and seeing in person. It's really a work of art, and it's a great thing for all Norwalk [residents] to be proud of."