Town permanently painted crosswalk rainbow, because LGBT pride never goes away

In Maplewood, LGBT pride doesn’t just happen during Pride Month in June. And officials in town are proving it with a permanent change to a busy township intersection.

Maplewood plans to unveil Thursday permanent rainbow striped crosswalks — joining just a few other towns in the world that have done the same thing.

The crosswalks will be at the intersection of Valley Street, a county road, and Oakview Road. Maplewood will become the first town in New Jersey to feature permanent rainbow crosswalks on a county road to celebrate and honor diversity and inclusion within the community, town officials said. 

“We want to do something that would serve as a permanent marker or symbol of our commitment to inclusion,” said Dean Dafis, the first openly LGBTQ Mapplewood Township Committee member.

“I wanted it to be something you can encounter every day. We want our youth in particular — perhaps those struggling to find their way, those in need of empowerment and affirmation — to proudly cross or walk over their fear and self doubt.”

The township’s mayor did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The official unveiling of the crosswalk is scheduled for Thursday at 6:30 p.m. on the front steps of Maplewood Town Hall, and will feature face painting, music, balloon twisting and treats for children. The event is free and families are encouraged to come and dance to celebrate pride.

This event is part of Maplewood and South Orange’s greater SOMA Celebrates Pride initiative to celebrate throughout the month of June. 

Delaney Dryfoos may be reached at ddryfoos@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @delaneydryfoos. Find NJ.com on Facebook.