According to a spokesperson for Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell, the mayor’s office has no official role in the implementation of a gay pride crosswalk in the city.
The Tennessee Star reported Wednesday that a group of volunteers will paint a rainbow-colored crosswalk at the intersection of 14th St and Woodland St on June 29.
The mayor’s office did not sign off on the project, according to spokesman Alex Apple, and had no answers for The Star Thursday regarding how much it will cost the city, if anything, to implement and maintain the crosswalk.
Nashville’s new crosswalk “was approved after a collaboration between the Metro Nashville LGBTQ Caucus, the Nashville Department of Transportation, Metro Nashville Councilmember Clay Capp, and Nashville Pride,” The Star reported Wednesday.
“This has been on many people’s minds for a long time. We’ve been working on it as a Caucus over the past few months and are thrilled to bring it to fruition,” Metro Nashville Council LGBTQ Caucus Chair and District 7 Council Member Emily Benedict said at a press conference. “It is historic for our city in one of our most historic locations, outside one of the most iconic lesbian-owned establishments in the country.”
Apple referred The Star to the Nashville Department of Transportation (NDOT) regarding the question of the cost of maintenance. That entity did not return a comment request.
Also, Nashville District Attorney’s Office Glenn Funk did respond to a comment request about the legality of painting a city street and whether those who might vandalize the gay pride crosswalk will be subject to prosecution.
Around the country, people have been arrested for vandalizing gay pride crosswalks.
Last week, teens in Spokane, Washington state, were arrested for lighting a fire on a gay pride crosswalk.
A 19-year-old was arrested in Delray Beach, Florida, earlier this year for doing burnouts and leaving skid marks on a gay pride crosswalk. He was charged with a felony.
Police are currently on the hunt for a vandal who did the same to a gay pride crosswalk in Huntington, West Virginia.
In 2021, Nashville became the first city in the nation to name a street after a drag queen.
Pete D’Abrosca is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Pete on X/Twitter.
