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Town Paints Rainbow Crosswalk to Promote Inclusion

by Associated Press

   MAPLEWOOD, NEW JERSEY --

   A New Jersey town has a crosswalk painted in permanent rainbow striped
   colors to show LGBT pride doesn't just happen in June.

   Maplewood on Thursday unveiled the statement at the intersection of
   Valley Street and Oakview Road.

   Committeeman Dean Dafis tells The Star-Ledger of Newark the town wanted
   to do something to serve as a symbol of its "commitment to inclusion."
   Dafis is the first openly LGBTQ member of the governing board.

   Dafis says the community wants youth who are struggling with their
   identities to "proudly cross or walk over their fear and self-doubt."