“As somebody who’s been through that process of coming out and being a young gay man in Scotland when it was illegal, for me to have seen that would have been life-changing.”
“Not [to] blow my own horn too much, but I did that. I’m so proud. I made a difference and that’s brilliant.”
This has been “a little bit tainted” by the council choosing not to have an opening or blessing for it, Lockhart said.
“That’s probably what makes it bittersweet. Don’t get me wrong it’s 80% absolutely sweet.”
He said he wasn’t expecting a ticker tape parade but the same kind of blessing that would be held for any new council building or public infrastructure.
In his view, an opening wasn’t held because the crossing was deemed “too divisive”.
Tauranga City Council city development and partnerships general manager Gareth Wallis. Photo / Alex Cairns
Council general manager city development and partnerships Gareth Wallis said the council spoke to Rainbow Youth and Gender Dynamix when considering whether to hold a formal event.
“Neither of these groups were in support of an overt opening event or ceremony for the crossing.
“They were content with the installation, its intent, and indicated that they would support installation in their own way.”
The council did not as matter of principle hold an opening event or ceremony for every project completed, Wallis said.
“When we do, it is a collaborative process, that incorporates the views of many different interested and impacted stakeholders.
“Lockhart was updated throughout the installation process and [was] provided our rationale for not progressing an event and allowing the installation.”
Lockhart said the two organisations - Rainbow Youth and Gender Dynamix - were not representative of the 16,000 people who were part of the LGBTQI+ community in Tauranga.
He believed it was being “used as an excuse” to not have an opening.
Tauranga City Council shared photos of the rainbow crossing in an Instagram post on Wednesday. Image / Instagram
The council shared photos of the crossing in an Instagram post on Wednesday.
The post said the council was “thrilled to unveil our brand new crossing, celebrating love, inclusivity and diversity in our beautiful city”.
It has gained 134 likes from the page’s 1067 followers.
Rainbow Youth regional coordinator Leanne Fry said the organisation was incredibly excited about the crossing.
“It’s super important for the city to publicly show that everyone is welcome. A lot of our rangatahi don’t feel comfortable or completely safe being openly themselves in public places in the city and this is a good first step towards changing that.”
Auckland's Progress Pride Flag rainbow crossing on Karangahape Rd. Photo / John Nottage
Pedestrian crossings depicting a rainbow flag can also be found in Auckland, Gisborne, Wellington, New Plymouth and at Dunedin airport.
