Mayor Tim Keller Unveils New Rainbow Crosswalks ahead of ABQ PrideFest
Mayor Keller, City Councilor Pat Davis, The City of Albuquerque Office of Equity and Inclusion and others cut the ribbon today on new rainbow crosswalks in Nob Hill.
The new crosswalks were installed just in time for ABQ PrideFest 2019 and are along the ABQ Pride Parade route. The Pride Parade is scheduled to take place this Saturday, June 8th at 9 a.m. on Central Avenue in Nob Hill.
“This is more than just a crosswalk, it is a piece of public art, and a fun visual acknowledgement, a celebration of our commitment to inclusion and the LGBTQ+ community,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “Regardless of the recent hate and desecration that unfortunately still remains, we are a community that welcomes and values people from all walks of life. As One Albuquerque, we will always stand up for our people, regardless of how they choose to identify.”
Albuquerque is one of many cities across the country to put in rainbow crosswalks in a demonstration of support for the LGBTQ+ community.
The crosswalks represent the latest development in a series of efforts by the City aimed at showing support for its LGBTQ+ community members since Mayor Keller took office:
- The formation of the Office of Equity and Inclusion last year.
- The City of Albuquerque is very proud to have several policies in place for LGBTQ+ employees, including domestic partner benefits, employer-based health coverage for transition-related care, and procedures that honor employee’s needs and wishes when employees change their name and gender on employee records. As well, the city prohibits discrimination in city employment.
- As well, the City has worked with Equality New Mexico, the Transgender Resource Center of New Mexico and the UNM LGBTQ Resource Center to bring Safe Zone training and Transgender 101 Training to City employees.
Mayor Keller encourages all citizens to come out to ABQ PrideFest 2019 and show the love we have for everyone by attending the parade on Saturday, June 8th at 9am on Central Avenue in Nob Hill.