MEMPHIS, Tenn. (localmemphis.com)- As you visit Cooper-Young in Midtown Memphis, you may notice new, colorful scenery as you walk in the area.
Sunday, instead of a traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony, the LGBTQ community hosted a drag show to celebrate Tennessee’s first rainbow crosswalk. The walk is to serve as a symbol of diversity and inclusion.
A petition for the crosswalk started in May and was approved by the city council in September. For many, the crosswalk signifies just how far Cooper-Young has come.
“It’s a great opportunity to show not just people who live here but people who are outside of the South that things are progressing slowly, but I think it’s a great thing to show the world too,” said supporter Mandarin Mathouchan.
The rainbow crosswalk idea was started by Jerred Price with the support of the Cooper-Young Association.