Overview
- The town says two rainbow crosswalks on Monument Avenue were re-striped as part of routine maintenance earlier this week, and officials insist the action does not signal a change in support for LGBTQIA+ residents.
- Residents who noticed the sudden change expressed surprise and disappointment and questioned why there was no prior notice or community input about the repainting.
- A resident quickly launched a GoFundMe to restore the rainbow paint and had raised more than $400 at the time of reporting.
- Swampscott has begun a formal review of its roadway-marking policies, including rules for privately funded installations, and has invited the public to discuss next steps at the Oct. 21 Select Board meeting.
- The debate highlights a local tension between visibility and safety concerns for standard black-and-white markings and the symbolic value many residents attach to rainbow crosswalks as a sign of inclusion.