Colourful rainbow crossings have been added to university campuses in Nottingham to celebrate LGBT history month.
To show support for its LGBT+ community, the University of Nottingham unveiled rainbow 'zebra' crossings at its three UK campuses.
The university said it had taken inspiration from the recent installation of a rainbow road by Nottingham City Council on Broad Street in the city, and acted in response to suggestions from its own student community.
The crossings are planned for outside the Portland Building, on University Park; the Yang Fujia Building, on Jubilee Campus; and the Gateway Building, on Sutton Bonington campus.
They will feature the same colours used in the Pride flag, with the addition of black and brown stripes to recognise the relationship between the LGBT+ and black and multi-ethnic (BME) communities.
The first of the crossings on University Park was unveiled on Friday, February 7, by Professor Sarah Sharples, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, and Sam Hawkins, the Students’ Union LGBT+ officer.
Professor Sharples said the rainbow crossings were a powerful symbol of the university’s commitment to inclusion and reinforced its partnership with the council.
She added: “Our Nottingham campuses are a key part of the experience of being a University of Nottingham student or staff member.
"I know that for me, when I see them, the crossings will remind me of the university’s support for our LGBTQ+ students and staff, and our commitment towards equality, diversity and inclusion which will make the university better for us all.”
Sam Hawkins said: “By installing rainbow crossings on three of our campuses, this sends out a very clear message to our students, both current and prospective, that the University of Nottingham is an institution that values equity, and that bigotry of any kind is not tolerated.
"The rainbow crossings challenge some of the systematic barriers which prevent people from bringing their best selves to their degree.
"It says 'we see your struggle, and we are here to support you'.
“Across the world, rainbow crossings have been installed in cities such as London, Sydney and Paris. Therefore, I am incredibly proud to say that we now have our very own at the University of Nottingham.”
