Rainbow Crossings Created in Palm Springs

In anticipation of Greater Palm Springs Pride Week, Nov. 1-7, two rainbow crossings have been created in Downtown Palm Springs

PALM SPRINGS — A portion of Arenas Road was closed Tuesday morning as city street crews put the finishing touches on the second of two Rainbow Crossings in the Arenas Business District.

The first, located at the corner of Calle Encilia and Arenas Road, was revealed Monday, Oct. 18. The second is located at Arenas Road and Indian Canyon Drive.

The Rainbow Crossings are in preparation for the 35th Annual Palm Springs Pride Festival Festival, which is designed to celebrate and embrace the region’s diverse LGBTQ community as part of Pride week November 1-7. Most of the activities will be in downtown Palm Springs on Arenas Road. and Palm Canyon Drive. The annual worldwide Pride theme is “You Are Included.”

The multicolored crossings will be come permanent fixtures in downtown Palm Springs, Communications Director Amy Blaisdell told Uken Report.

Ron deHarte, president and CEO of Greater Palm Springs Pride, told Uken Report that he would let city officials explain the reason for the pair of rainbow crossings. “But for me, I know Gilbert Baker designed the rainbow flag colors to represent life, healing, sunlight, nature, harmony, and spirit,” deHarte said. “The colors instantly convey a message of community pride and diversity and that all are welcome. They remind all that pass by that everyone is supported, embraced, and welcome in Palm Springs.”

They are not the first Rainbow Crossings in Coachella Valley. In March 2016, Cathedral City unveiled “Rainbow Crossing,” – a first-of-its-kind crossing in the Coachella Valley that symbolizes and celebrates diversity. The “Rainbow Crossing” consists of painted stripes within a downtown crosswalk that matches the Rainbow Flag utilized by the LGBT community as a symbol of pride and diversity.