A symbol of support and inclusion for city’s LGBTQ+ community

PORTLAND, Me. — The Equality Community Center teamed up with Portland Downtown this week with City of Portland approval to paint two (2) temporary downtown crosswalks the colors of the Progress Pride Flag in advance of Saturday’s Pride Parade.

The crosswalks are located at the intersections of Casco & Congress streets and Oak & Congress streets.

“The Progress Pride flag is a symbol of hope and strength for our community. Its colors and design reflect the need to prioritize historically marginalized voices within the LGBTQ+ movement, including the transgender community, people of color, and folks living with HIV and AIDS,” shared Chris O’Connor, Manager of Portland’s new Equality Community Center located at 15 Casco Street. “As we open our doors this month, the crosswalks help reinforce our message that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning Portlanders are welcomed and celebrated here!”

“Our mission at Portland Downtown is to make our community vibrant, thriving, & sustainable. We know we can’t if we’re not first loving, kind, and accepting,” said Cary Tyson, Portland Downtown Executive Director. “We hope these new crosswalks will be a symbol to everyone, everywhere that no matter how they look, who they worship, how they identify, or who they love, they are welcome here in downtown Portland.”

Portland Downtown will soon install eight (8) additional temporary painted crosswalks across the Downtown Improvement District. Two (2) will be Pride crosswalks while the other six (6) will echo the City of Portland’s branding colors. These will be equally distributed across the Old Port and Arts/Government Districts. The additional two (2) Pride crosswalks will again be installed in partnership with the Equality Community Center.

Equality Community Center, a 501c3 non-profit organization, is a collaborative workplace for LGBTQ+ and allied social justice seeking non-profit organizations. The ECC strives to provide a safer space and more inclusive gathering space with social and educational programming for all, while supporting the most marginalized in our communities.

Portland Downtown is a 501c4 non-profit Downtown Improvement District. Our mission is to stimulate a vibrant, thriving, and sustainable downtown community.