A new rainbow intersection has been officially completed at Taylor Square.
The intersection, located where Forbes and Bourke streets meet outside the queer museum Qtopia, is the third rainbow footpath or roadway in the City of Sydney.
It joins the Progress Pride Crossing between Campbell and Bourke streets on the other side of Taylor Square and a 90-metre Progress Pride footpath in Prince Alfred Park.
Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said visibility is vital in creating an inclusive city for all.
“Sydney is a welcoming and safe city that loudly and proudly supports LGBTIQA+ locals and visitors,” Moore said.
“This is yet another reminder of the iconic Oxford Street precinct’s connection to pride, identity, culture and community.”
The completion of the new raised intersection at Taylor Square comes just in time for Sydney Mardi Gras, which officially launches this Friday.
“I hope everyone dancing past at this year’s Mardi Gras parade enjoys this new, joyous celebration of rainbow Sydney,” said Moore.
Qtopia chief executive Greg Fisher said he was thrilled by the addition of the intersection that leads visitors directly into the museum.
“It connects Qtopia Sydney with Oxford Street, it signifies a safe inclusive area, and adds to our activation of The Substation and Toilet Block on Taylor Square where over 15,000 people in 2024 enjoyed our exhibitions and performances,” said Fisher.
Shane Warren, chair of the Rainbow Precinct, a group that advocates for the area, said that the intersection was more than just eye candy for the Insta-crowd but was a powerful symbol of acceptance.
“Each stripe declares, ‘Welcome! Be you, all of you’ as they tell the stories of history, resilience, and celebration,” he said.
“Come on down to take a happy snap and enjoy all that the Rainbow Precinct has to offer!”
The new intersection will officially open on Friday at 4pm with a ceremony before the Progress Pride flag is raised above Sydney Town Hall to mark the start of the Mardi Gras festival.
Eliot Hastie is a senior news producer at Channel Ten, reporting on a range of general stories, specialising in foreign affairs and LGBTQ+ stories. He’s also a reporter for Gay Sydney News, where he covers LGBTQIA+ culture, politics and nightlife. He previously helped to build and launch ausbiz, Australia's only live streaming finance news channel, where he was also an executive producer and host. He has previously worked as a finance and business journalist for publications including Fintech Business, Real Estate Business and other Momentum Media titles. Eliot holds a journalism degree from the University of Westminster and brings experience in both broadcast and digital reporting. Contact Eliot: eliot.hastie@gaysydneynews.com.au
