Toronto unveils world's longest rainbow road for Pride Month
June 3, 2024Toronto has made history with the unveiling of the world's longest rainbow road ahead of Pride Month — a meaningful tribute to the city’s vibrant LGBTQ+ community.
The nearly-2,000-foot-long installation, located near Hanlan’s Point on Toronto Island, was unveiled by Mayor Olivia Chow and acclaimed queer artist Travis Myers.
Image Credit: Canva
“If there's ever a space Queer people should feel safe and welcome, it should be the place where Canada's first Pride happened,” Myers said in an interview with Yahoo Canada.
The world’s longest rainbow walk is officially on Toronto Islands at Hanlan’s Point, according to ‘Yahoo! News’.
The Rainbow Road commemorates the significant queer history of Hanlan’s Point while celebrating love, equality, and authenticity.
Myers notes that this creation is particularly close to his heart, especially given the recent increase in townships across Canada banning the Pride flag and his own experiences growing up in small-town Ontario.
“To have this idea in my head of Toronto being this promised land of freedom and equality for all — and this takes work — but if there is anywhere we have a shot at it, it's here.”
He discussed observing global conflicts where flying the Pride flag remains a crime and being your authentic self can result in imprisonment or worse.
“While there's still a lot of work to be done, I hope this is just one more way people can feel secure in who they are,” he said.
Myers explains that his personal connection to Hanlan’s Point, as well as its historical significance, inspired the location for his creation.
“This was also the spot where the first Pride in all of Canada happened back in 1971,” he said.
Hanlan’s has been an important gathering place for the LGBTQ+ community for 80 years.
Decades prior, Myers notes that Hanlan’s was a Queer gathering space that promised safety and security in a world that offered little acceptance.
Myers says that while creating ‘The Long Walk to Equality,’ he kept in mind that this was the same path trodden by the “architects” who fought for the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Torontonians today.
“I want to make sure people feel proud, safe, and included, and the path can be viewed as a tool leading this community back to itself,” he said. “I hope the community can feel a little prouder, a little bolder about their sense of belonging by seeing themselves reflected in this space.”
Myers hopes that beyond being a symbol of empowerment for the LGBTQ+ community, his creation speaks to those outside the community as a universal symbol fostering a bridge of humanity.
Regarding creating something on a global scale, Myers says, “We can do a little more than a metre longer.” The previous record was held by a rainbow bicycle path in Utrecht, the Netherlands, measuring just over 1,870 feet.
This art installation was created in partnership with Pride Toronto and supported with donations from The Waterfront BIA, Gilead Health, Skittles, Billy Bishop Airport, and Freddie Pharmacy.
Since the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Myers says the impact of the art piece has been emotionally significant.
“I've heard back from members of the community, and we've cried in a different way — we've had a lot of joy in how this is changing things and making people feel welcome in a space that matters to them,” he said.
“Pride means something different to everybody, but I hope when people walk along this rainbow, they walk a little bolder and a little prouder on how they want to accomplish their goals for Pride month this year and spread a message of joy and inclusion to the community around them,” he said.
Read related myGwork articles here:
Conservative British Politician Said A Rainbow Crosswalk Could “Trigger Epilepsy”
Rainbow Crosswalk Opens In San Diego
The UK Now Has Its First Permanent Rainbow Crossing
Chicago Celebrates Pride With 14 Rainbow Crossings
Keep up to date with the latest myGnews