A rainbow revolution called DIY Rainbow Crossings has gone global this last week all through the use of chalk, community and compassion.

The artistic movement began after the removal of a rainbow crossing on Sydney’s Oxford Street, which celebrated 35 years of the GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender) Mardi Gras. In response to the council’s decision to wash the rainbow away, Sydney-sider James Brechney decided to recreate the rainbow by drawing one on the street in chalk. After a photo he posted on Facebook went viral, Sydney-siders hit the streets chalking up rainbows wherever they could only for fellow Australians in every town in every city to follow in his footsteps. Spreading the message, “Don’t get angry, get chalking” through the use of social media, rainbows are being drawn from remote country towns in outback Australia to the streets of Berlin, New York, Edinburgh, Vancouver, Vietnam and Kenya with more rainbows being painted worldwide daily.

Thousands of people are creating these rainbows to simply show their support for the gay community. Endless photos are being posted to represent the creative protest on the official DIY Rainbow Crossings Facebook page, which Brechney set up to encourage and empower the movement.

Brechney couldn’t be happier with the community involvement and support this creative revolution has found.  “I am so thrilled to be a part of such a beautiful and peaceful movement that is spreading messages of equality, diversity and love all across the globe,” he said.

What a wonderful reminder for us all that community supports for equality is worldwide. May we continue to color the streets with rainbows and share the love in our communities. Protest doesn’t always need marches, banners or rallies. Sometimes all it takes is chalk and creativity, which is something we can all get on board with. Happy Chalking y’all!

 

Amanda Joy Robb lives in Sydney Australia where she works as a Sexologist/Sex Therapist and Media Commentator. Feeding her passion in supporting women, Amanda also works for a feminist organization where she is able to empower and support survivors of sexual trauma. Amanda easily gets excited over quality music, yoga, boxing, cats and putting pen to paper about anything and everything she can to do with the wonderful world of sexology.

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Assistant Ed: Karla Rodas/Kate Bartolotta