Council forum explores permanent queer symbol

Colourful light installations, plaques and flags were among the suggestions made at a forum last Tuesday night exploring the possibility of a permanent symbol recognising Sydney’s GLBTI community.

The ‘Rainbow Rights in the Spotlight’ forum, hosted at Paddington Town Hall by the City of Sydney Council, saw Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore join with GLBTI groups and members of the public for a civic brainstorming session on the issue.

The forum was precipitated by the removal of the Rainbow Crossing at Taylor Square, which was installed by the City for this year’s Mardi Gras but removed by the State Government’s Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) authority once its temporary approval expired.

Ms Moore told the forum of her disappointment at the crossing’s removal in April.

“We had permission from [NSW Roads Minister] Duncan Gay to install the crossing and yes, he had told us ‘you can only have it for a limited time’ but I had thought he would have been influenced by community support and would allow this fabulous piece of public art … to stay,” she said.

Ms Moore said the priority now was finding an alternative way to recognise the GLBTI community at Taylor Square. She said she was inspired by the many ideas she heard at the forum.

“As I moved between different tables, I heard suggestions of lighting trees around Taylor Square with rainbow lights, new plaques commemorating important events in the area’s history, a suspended rainbow over Taylor Square South and even a rainbow flag on the Harbour Bridge,” said the Lord Mayor.

“It is essential the community is involved in deciding what form that recognition takes. We are encouraging people to visit sydneyyoursay.com.au to give us their comments and views on these ideas before the work is finalised and installed.”

Previously, the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras organising committee had pushed for the Council-owned T2 building at Taylor Square to house a permanent GLBTI museum – but in a surprise move in April, Mardi Gras announced it was no longer interested in the site.

The Lord Mayor is believed to favour a “bike hub” for T2, with Council’s expression of interest documents for the building also weighted towards a bike hub.