Melbourne Causeway lights up in dazzling display for Pride
– 1 min read
The Melbourne Causeway in Florida was transformed into a vibrant symbol of unity and resilience on Sunday (21 September) night, as locals gathered for the annual Light Up Melbourne with Pride event. The bridge glowed in the colours of the rainbow, a powerful response to the recent removal of LGBTQ+ crosswalk art across Florida, including the iconic Pulse memorial in Orlando.
Organised by the Space Coast LGBTA Democratic Caucus, the event drew a diverse crowd of supporters, many waving flags and donning rainbow attire. Participants lined the bridge, each holding a coloured torch, creating a living rainbow that stretched across the water. The display was not only a celebration of Pride, but also a statement of resistance and solidarity in the face of efforts to erase LGBTQ+ visibility from public spaces.
Bill McKay, one of the organisers, addressed the crowd before the march to the top of the Causeway, emphasising the importance of being seen and heard: “We have to be here, we have to be seen, we have to be heard. When our rights are at risk, we stand up and shout out”. With painting on crosswalks and pavements now banned in many parts of the state, the community has found creative ways to keep Pride visible.
The event was especially poignant this year, following the erasure of the Pulse crosswalk and other rainbow symbols. “We are here to let the light shine, to let people know through our right of free speech that our light will continue to shine, that we can’t be erased,” said Vance Ahrens, another organiser.
Supporters like Karen Strickland, who attended with her non-binary child, spoke passionately about the need for continued visibility and protection of LGBTQ+ rights: “You can’t erase us, we’re not going anywhere, and we mama bears, we’re going to be right there as well.”
Light Up Melbourne with Pride also served as a lead-up to the Space Coast Pride Parade and Pridefest, set to take place in downtown Melbourne on Saturday, 27 September.
Lead Picture by Mike Brown
