SBY rainbow crosswalk given fresh coat of paint, joined by two new pride crosswalks

SALISBURY, Md. – Maryland’s first ever rainbow crosswalk got a facelift Saturday. Plus, two new additions were added to the colorful intersection. The original rainbow crosswalk was freshened up with a new coat of paint. Two adjacent crosswalks were transformed into progressive pride flag and transgender pride flag crosswalks. The progressive pride flag includes blue, white, pink, brown, and black stripes to represent transgender people, and people of color. “I think the city of Salisbury keeps changing, keeps becoming more progressive, more open minded, and more inclusive,” said Salisbury PFLAG Board President Nicole Hollywood.

Organizers say the goal of the crosswalks is to celebrate LGBTQ+ pride and bring people together. Salisbury PFLAG Executive Director Mark Delancey says doing events like the crosswalk painting brings more visibility to the LGBTQ+ community. “All the little things that are starting to crop out, as far as little initiatives that are starting to bloom, seeds are being planted for projects to start, to support the community here as a whole instead of just PFLAG,” said Delancey.

Salisbury PFLAG got help paying for all the necessary paint with a grant from Salisbury University’s Fulton Hall Humanities Program. Organizers say that grant money was needed because the paint cost thousands of dollars. Saturday afternoon’s rain did stop the painting temporarily. By the end of the event, the original rainbow crosswalk was complete, but the progressive pride flag and transgender pride flag were left missing a few stripes. Organizers say painting will resume soon.

The event also included vendors, drag performances, and a drag queen story time for kids. Saturday’s painting party marks the last official event for Salisbury PFLAG, as Pride Month comes to a close.