Around New England

In Provincetown, Some Think Rainbow Crosswalks A Bad Idea

February 4, 2020

A nonprofit organization that promotes businesses run by homosexuals wants to replace four black-and-white-striped crosswalks on the main drag of Provincetown with the colors of the rainbow flag.

Supporters say it’s an amenity that a homosexual-friendly tourist destination ought to have.

The little town at the northern tip of Cape Cod has the highest percentage of same-sex couples in America, and is known for its Pride festival in June.

But some people in town think rainbow crosswalks don’t fly.

Provincetown is also known for its Portuguese Festival, which takes place in Lopes Square and Portuguese Square – where the rainbow crosswalks would go. It’s also in June. A selectman and a festival organizer think rainbow crosswalks might squeeze the Portuguese Festival, according to The Cape Cod Times.

The town’s public works director thinks the colors would fade and that in the meantime changing the well-known black and white stripes would undermine the safety of pedestrians, according to The Cape Cod Times.

The town’s police chief agrees that rainbow crosswalks don’t promote safety.