Chicago, IL – More than 100 North American cities have implemented rainbow crosswalks to commemorate their local LGBTQ communities and soon Chicago will be one of them.

The Northalsted Business Alliance is preparing to install 14 Pride-themed rainbow crosswalks on the one-mile stretch of North Halsted from Melrose north to Bradley, excluding Addison.

“As an internationally recognized and historic landmark neighborhood, Northalsted has been a place of acceptance and diversity for decades. These crosswalks show our commitment to maintaining a thriving LGBTQ community,” said Northalsted President Ramesh Ariyanayakam.

Thirteen of the crosswalks will feature the rainbow design that represents diversity and has become an inclusive symbol of the worldwide LGBTQ pride movement since the 1970’s. The 14th crosswalk at Melrose will be dedicated to the transgender community with the inclusion of the blue, pink and white stripes found on the transgender flag. This crosswalk is south of the Howard Brown Health Center which features a wall mural that honors the queer and non-binary community.

Join us for the dedication ceremony of the Chicago Rainbow Pride Crosswalks, Thurs 5/30, 10am at Halsted & Roscoe.

Hosted by Northalsted Business Alliance with 44th Ward Alderman Tom Tunney, 46th Ward Alderman James Cappleman, the Chicago Department of Transportation, the Chicago Landmarks Commission and The Legacy Project as we kick-off, LGBTQ+ Pride Month and also celebrate Northalsted’s Rainbow Pylons Chicago Landmark Designation.

Reception to follow outside of Roscoe’s Tavern at 3356 N. Halsted Street.

From chicago.curbed.com

A mile-long stretch in Northalsted started getting colorful, rainbow crosswalks on Tuesday. All 14 crosswalks will be painted by mid-June and run parallel to Halsted Street.

The Chicago Rainbow Pride Crosswalks project will link up the gold and rainbow ring pylons in Northalsted between Melrose Street and Bradley Place. The pylons are more than just a neighborhood signifier. The structures include The Legacy Walk which features bronze plaques of important LGBTQ people. The corridor and pylons will soon become a city landmark.

The 14th crosswalk will be dedicated to the transgender community, and instead of rainbow stripes, it will have blue, pink and white stripes found on the transgender flag. That crosswalk will be at Melrose Street, south of Howard Brown Health Center.

Also, the clinic, which focuses on LGBTQ health, just installed a mural that honors the queer and non-binary community. It features a portrait of Chicago-based Kiam Marcelo Junio, a holistic healer and interdisciplinary artist. The piece is by artists Sandra Antongiorgi, Andy Bellomo, and Sam Kirk—and the first in a series of LGBTQ tribute murals.

The rainbow crosswalks project was funded through donations collected at Chicago Pride Fest and Northalsted Market Days.

The neighborhood will celebrate the new crosswalk and landmark status to come with a dedication ceremony and Pride month kick-off at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 30.