On the eve of the 2016 Feast Festival, the Adelaide City Council is proud to launch the new Pride Walk – a permanent symbol to celebrate diversity within our community.
In April this year, Council endorsed the installation of a rainbow coloured walk that includes a timeline highlighting significant milestones, people and events in our state’s history. The timeline is included within the unique colour bands, providing meaning and further connection with the LGBTIQ community.
The Pride Walk is located in the north western quadrant of Light Square adjacent the Adelaide College of the Arts and includes new trees, relocated seating and other amenities for the community to enjoy.
Lord Mayor Martin Haese thanked the local LGBTIQ and broader community for their input during construction and for helping to name the art installation Pride Walk. “The City of Adelaide is proud to be a diverse, inclusive city and Council was determined to honour its commitment to recognise this through the installation of Pride Walk,” said the Lord Mayor.
“Our city has a long and proud history of leading the way in celebrating diversity and we’re delighted to launch Pride Walk at the start of Feast Festival with all of our friends here today.”
Feast’s Patron Margie Fischer and co-founder of Feast is deeply moved by Adelaide City Council’s ongoing support of the LGBTIQ community. “The new Pride Walk is a celebration of the LGBTIQ community, joyous celebratory public art which will be enjoyed by the wider community and visitors to Adelaide,” said Ms Fischer.
“The Walk recognises and appreciates those who paved the way for us here today. Before the decriminalisation of homosexuality it was a tough road – none of those who have pioneered law reform, acceptance and respect for LGBTI people would have imagined a rainbow walk!”
“The Walk is a road we can walk together to support diversity and acceptance. As well as being a widely recognised symbol of ‘gayness’ the rainbow has long been a symbol of peace. The development of the Rainbow Walk has involved input from LGBTIQ community members and is an artistic expression of the queer and broader community working together on a community arts project. On behalf of Feast I would like to thank the Adelaide City Council for taking this step.”
Master of Ceremonies Robert Simms, who as a City of Adelaide Councillor initiated plans for Pride Walk, encouraged everyone to visit the new Pride Walk. “This is a terrific initiative of the City Council. The Pride Walk is something I’m sure will become a new landmark for our city – something that reflects out status as a leader in inclusion and diversity. I encourage all members of the community to visit and enjoy this space.”
Pride Walk is now open for the community to view and enjoy. The 2016 Feast Festival officially commences on Saturday 22 October with the annual Pride March followed by the Opening Night Street Party featuring Dannii Minogue, The Festival runs through to Sunday 6 November. For more information, visit: www.feast.org.au for details.
Image: Pride Walk – courtesy of the Adelaide City Council