Bellevue College celebrates first Pride rainbow crosswalk on campus
In celebration of International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia on Tuesday, Bellevue College held a dedication event for its first ever rainbow-colored crosswalk on campus, the school announced Wednesday.
While the crosswalk was first installed at the top of Landerholm Circle in November 2021, not many people were on campus at the time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The celebration was delayed until Tuesday when more people were present during the spring quarter.
Tuesday’s event featured speakers like BC interim president and former Washington governor Gary Locke, BC Academic Success Center program coordinator and LGBTQ+ Task Force member Valencio Socia, Umoja program specialist Darnita Boynton Howard, and BC alum Ivy Crane (they/them).
Eastside community leaders like Bellevue Mayor Lynne Robinson and Rep. My-Linh Thai made appearances as well.
“It’s a visual symbol to the entire BC campus, and the Eastside, of our commitment to and support of the LGBTQ+ community,” Locke said at the dedication. “But we must also work to build this inclusivity into the very fabric of our institution, and greater community, so that everyone has the opportunity to pursue their dreams, and reach their full potential.”
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“Finally having this crosswalk in place, with more on the way, means so much to me,” said Crane. “Knowing that there is a community for queer students here on campus is one thing, but seeing that the staff, faculty, and administration of Bellevue College welcome and support them is another.”
The crosswalk design is of the Philadelphia Pride Flag, including a black and brown stripe to signify people of color.
Another crosswalk on campus is planned to have the Progress Pride Flag, which includes the traditional rainbow stripes along with a five-striped chevron in black, brown, and the white, pink, and light blue of the Transgender Pride flag.
A third crosswalk design is still being decided.
11 rainbow crosswalks were installed on Seattle’s Capitol Hill in time for the city’s annual Pride Week in 2015.
“It says something about this neighborhood, it says something about Seattle -- this is a city of very diverse neighborhoods throughout, with character and obviously an opportunity to celebrate pride nationally,” then-Seattle mayor Ed Murray said at the time.
