Rainbow Crosswalks Spark Debate Ahead of Monterey Pride Month

Monterey aims to become part of various cities statewide that have adorned certain crosswalks with rainbow hues as a gesture of support and celebration for their local LGBTQ+ populations.

In Monterey, the initiative is being championed by Mayor Tyller Williamson, who is also the city’s first openly gay mayor.

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“The mayor stated, ‘We have a significant chance to make our imprint and hand over something remarkable to the upcoming generation, ensuring them that regardless of their origins or identity, they will find welcome and acceptance within our community.’”

Three possible crosswalk locations have been pinpointed: one leading to Alvarado Street, another directly in front of the city library, and a third at the junction of Lighthouse Avenue and Reeside Avenue.

The lighthouse site holds historical importance for the local LGBTQ+ community. Previously, a well-known gay bar called After Dark operated there, and it is also close to where a gay man suffered a vicious assault.

"A person from the LGBTQ community was assaulted and severely beaten nearby, which made us feel that this would be an excellent spot to demonstrate our support for the LGBTQ community," Williamson stated.

However, it’s the price tag for the vibrant crosswalks that has people talking, costing taxpayers anywhere from $2,000 to $15,000, varying with the number of crosswalks being colored.

"You see, there are numerous potholes, many structures that are deteriorating, and substantial infrastructure that desperately require these funds. As a city, we must concentrate on addressing these problems," stated Carina Powers, who is part of the Monterey County Republican Party.

The local party describes the rainbow crosswalks as "an inappropriate use of public space and funds for strictly ideological purposes." They also claim that the mayor is attempting to stifle public debate by addressing this matter during a special meeting scheduled for Friday afternoon, starting at 2 p.m.

Powers stated that sufficient time should be allotted for the community to participate and express their opinion on whether they believe it’s worth investing money into the project or not. He emphasized that without adequate time and proper notice, it becomes difficult to thoroughly evaluate the whole process.

“The decision to include this item in a special council meeting wasn’t premeditated. Actually, we didn’t really need to add it to the agenda at all; however, I requested that staff include it so that we could be deliberate in our efforts to make this information more publicly accessible and clear,” the mayor explained.

The Monterey county republican party said Friday’s discussion should be postponed.

"It would be wise for the mayor to postpone this meeting and instead consider scheduling it during a regularly planned session," Powers suggested.

However, the clock is ticking for the city if they wish to install rainbow crosswalks before the commencement of the Pride month celebrations on June 1. ^st .

An alternative might involve painting them temporarily for the duration of the month-long LGBTQ festivities; turning these into permanent features could prove pricier since they'd require upkeep all year round.

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