On the last day of Pride Month, a vivid display of solidarity and recognition unfurled on the streets of East Nashville. Community inhabitants and advocates from LGBTQ organizations coalesced to create Nashville's inaugural rainbow crosswalk. Situated at the bustling juncture of 14th Street and Woodland, this new landmark outside the state's sole lesbian-owned bar, the Lipstick Lounge, emerged as a testament to love, diversity, and inclusivity.
Under the warmth of a summer Saturday morning, hundreds of volunteers brandished brushes and colored the streets in rainbow hues, enunciating a message of unity. Joshua Farrell, a participant in the act of community embellishment, conveyed to WKRN, "There are so many places that don’t feel safe for the LGBT community, but we’re a part of every community like we’re intertwined so much. But this is a safe space. And so inclusivity, being together. This represents all of that for us". The project's fruition was partially accredited to the NDOT’S Tactical Urbanism Program, providing an avenue for community-led urban design interventions.
Local leaders endorsed the sentiment of a community emboldened by acceptance and visibility. District 7 Council member and LGBTQ Caucus Chair Emily Benedict clarified the layout, stating, "We will have normal crosswalks here but rainbows that are vertical between each one of them", as detailed by NewsChannel 5. The crosswalk's importance was magnified by the affirmation of local drag performer Kennedy Ann Scott, who stated, "It’s important we show the world that we are an amazing community. We come out and support everyone in the community and outside our community".
While the painting unfolded amid cheers and laughter, a handful of dissenters tried to mar the event. Their opposition, aimed at this burgeoning symbol of tolerance, failed to overshadow the day's cooperative spirit. "When people see this crosswalk, they know they can come to Nashville and it’s not going to be like the larger state", John Hudson shared with volunteers, echoed by NewsChannel 5. The initiative's broader reach was clear; beyond celebrating Pride, it carved out visibility for marginalized communities and fostered a sense of belonging in the city's urban tapestry.
The Lipstick Lounge, which has been serving as a beacon since 2003, presided over the festivities with its historical significance as one of the remaining 20 lesbian bars in the U.S. Not merely a place to gather but a sanctuary for many, it stands adjacent to a crosswalk that now beams with the colors of inclusion. The day's proceedings, documented by several local news outlets, saw a cross-section of politicians, residents, and activists uniting in a mural endeavor — a powerful display of Metropolisville's collective heartbeat — that was sponsored by Metro Councilman Clay Capp, as reported by Tennessee Lookout.
