Colorful Rainbow Road Makeover for Notts Pride Celebration

In an effort to celebrate diversity and inclusivity ahead of the upcoming Notts Pride event, the iconic rainbow road in Hockley is set to undergo a vibrant makeover. The news was confirmed by Councillor Coral Jenkins during a recent meeting, where she announced that the rainbow road will be refreshed before the annual pride celebration. The colorful transformation of the road is being spearheaded by the city's business improvement district, It's in Nottingham. The repainted rainbows will not only receive a fresh coat of paint but will also feature five new colors, aimed at better representing the diversity within the LGBTQ+ community. The addition of black and brown stripes will symbolize people of color, while light blue, light pink, and white stripes will represent the transgender community. Funding for the project has been secured through a grant of £4,950 from the government's UK Shared Prosperity Fund, with the city council also lending its support to the initiative. Alex Flint, the chief executive of It's in Nottingham, expressed the organization's commitment to fostering an inclusive and vibrant community through this initiative. Sam Harvey, a representative from the Nottingham Pastel Project, a grassroots group working to create a safe environment for trans individuals in the city, voiced his support for the rainbow road makeover. He emphasized the significance of Broad Street as a hub for the Nottingham queer community and highlighted the importance of the rainbow flags in symbolizing unity and community spirit. The repainted rainbow road will be unveiled in time for the 2024 Notts Pride event, scheduled to take place on July 27. The event will kick off with a march through the city center, culminating in a market and stage in Sneinton Lanes and Sneinton Market. Attendees can look forward to a lineup of entertainment, including performances by RuPaul's Drag Race UK vs the World winner Tia Kofi and a Dolly Parton tribute by Kelly O'Brien. Notts Pride, a longstanding event that has been celebrated since 1997, typically draws a crowd of over 7,000 LGBTQ+ individuals and allies. The colorful makeover of the rainbow road serves as a fitting tribute to the spirit of unity and diversity that the pride event embodies, further solidifying Nottingham's reputation as a welcoming and inclusive city for all.