Globally, rainbow crosswalks have been implemented in LGBTQ+ neighborhoods to symbolize the strength of community and pride.
Currently, rainbow crosswalks are found in 100+ cities, of various sizes, and have acted as a community identifier and tourist attraction. Northalsted Business Alliance is working to bring this symbol of pride to America’s third largest city and now historic landmark neighborhood Boystown.
It is vital to our community to identify and preserve our neighborhood’s diversity for future generations.
The Chicago Rainbow Pride Crosswalks project development and installation is funded by Northalsted Business Alliance through donations collected at Chicago Pride Fest and Northalsted Market Days.
The public support at the annual summer festivals allows the Northalsted Business Alliance to invest in keeping the Boystown neighborhood a beautiful, safe and fun community for all to enjoy year round.
A special thank you to Alderman Tunney (44th Ward) and Alderman Cappleman (46th Ward), and the Chicago Department of Transporation for all their help in making the vision become a reality.
Please join the Northalsted Business Alliance, Alderman Tunney (44th Ward), Alderman Cappleman (46th Ward), the Chicago Department of Transportation, The Legacy Project, and the City of Chicago Landmarks Commission as we celebrate two milestone projects in the Boystown community and kick-off Pride Month on Thursday, May 30th at the intersection of Halsted and Roscoe at 10:00 am. On this date, we dedicate Chicago’s Rainbow Pride Crosswalks and announce the Boystown Rainbow Pylons / Legacy Walk Chicago landmark designation.
Press Conference at 10:00 am with a celebration to follow outside of Roscoe’s Tavern (3356 N. Halsted Street).
Boystown is home to a diverse mix of LGBTQ+ businesses, services, residents and internationally acclaimed events. In 2019 Boystown will welcome:
- Chicago Pride Fest (19th Annual)
- Chicago Pride Parade (50th Annual)
- Northalsted Market Days (38th Annual)
- Halloween Parade (23rd Annual)
In addition, Boystown is home to the Center on Halsted which is Chicago’s LGBTQ+ Community Center, one of the nation’s first LGBTQ+ friendly senior housing developments, Town Hall Apartments and Howard Brown Health Center which focuses on LGBTQ+ health and social services.
Stretching nearly one mile on Halsted Street, Boystown is home to 20 iconic golden rainbow pylons.
These pylons are home to The Legacy Walk memorial plaques, which is the world’s only outdoor LGBTQ+ History Museum.
This corridor will be enhanced with 14 crosswalks running parallel to Halsted Street (installed on east-west streets) from Melrose north to Bradley. These crosswalks will create an aerial rainbow when viewed from above that hugs both sides of Halsted Street. This will be a visually stunning symbol for those flying into O’Hare International Airport as they fly over Lake Michigan towards Chicago.
- Pride rainbow flag stripes
- Stripes will be arranged with red as the color furthest away
from Halsted Street - Material will be thermoplastic polyurethane (same material
used to create standard crosswalks and traffic markings)
The installation will be completed over phases between May 14 – June 21 to accommodate for various road construction projects underway in the Boystown area, also contingent on weather conditions.
Gallagher Asphalt has been awarded the contract to complete this installation.
The rainbow design will connect Boystown across 13 crosswalks as a symbol for all those who are part of the greater LGBTQ+ community.
The 14th crosswalk will be dedicated to the transgender community with the inclusion of the blue, pink and white stripes found on the transgender flag.
This crosswalk will be located on Melrose Street south of Howard Brown Health Center which features a wall mural that honors the queer and non-binary community.
For all of the latest information about Chicago’s Rainbow Pride Crosswalks please like us on Facebook @chicagorainbow or @northalsted.
