Olympia crosswalks get trans flag paint, City Hall gets pride flag flown for Pride Month
The city of Olympia is showing off its support for LGBTQ+ folk and Pride Month by painting two downtown crosswalks with the transgender flag colors. They will be ready for use by the start of pride month in June.
“The city chose to honor the transgender flag with the crosswalks as a way of standing with transgender communities at a time when they have been specifically targeted with harmful legislation and an increase in hate crimes,” stated an announcement from the City of Olympia’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Department.
A commemoration event is planned for 1 p.m. June 3 on Fifth Avenue between Washington and Franklin streets, according to the city. Community members and city officials will speak at the event. This will cause a temporary road closure in the area from noon to 3 p.m.
Olympia received a Municipal Equality Index Score of 100 in 2022, the highest possible score. The Municipal Equality Index measures a city’s inclusivity through laws, policies, services and leadership.
The only other Washington cities with perfect scores are Seattle and Bellevue, though only 11 cities in the state were scored. Of these, Pullman had the lowest score at 56.
Olympia also will fly the Progress Pride Flag over City Hall between June 1 and June 16. The flag will be switched out for the Juneteenth flag through June 19, then the pride flag will return.
