Petition Urges Woburn Rainbow Crosswalk After Flag Was Cut Down

WOBURN, MA — After Woburn's LGBTQ Pride flag was cut down in June, resident Samantha Drinkwater decided the city should have a permanent installation recognizing LGBTQ residents, and began a campaign for a city crosswalk to be painted with the Pride rainbow.

"A flag is easy to cut down, and it only flies one month a year," Drinkwater explained.

The LGBTQ Pride flag on Woburn Common was found cut down in late June. A replacement was raised soon after.

Drinkwater, who described herself as "simply a fierce ally," said she first suggested the rainbow crosswalk in an offhand comment in a city residents Facebook group. When she got a strong response, she set up a petition, and took her idea to her city councilor. As of Monday evening, 962 residents have signed the petition.

The proposal has now been through its first reading before the city's Traffic Commission, and will be back before the Commission in August.

Drinkwater is calling for the city to paint a "Progressive Pride Flag" which adds colors for Black and brown people and transgender people. She also said the crosswalk should be bounded by white lines, so that it still acts as a legal crosswalk.

The proposal received some criticism from the city engineer at the first Traffic Commission reading, due to Federal Highway Administration rulings that put in question the legality of alternative crosswalks. If it were ruled illegal, and someone were hit and injured in such a crosswalk, the city could face a lawsuit.

But other area cities have painted rainbow crosswalks, like Cambridge, Brookline and Lexington, Drinkwater pointed out.

"A lot of crosswalks are just the two lines with nothing between them," Drinkwater argued. "There isn't anything that states what can go between those two lines."

Drinkwater and other public commenters at the Traffic Commission meeting said that a Pride crosswalk would send a message to LGBTQ residents that they are valued in the city.

Drinkwater said she has been support her proposal has received.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.