MILWAUKEE — The Rainbow Crosswalk display at Jefferson and Wells in Downtown Milwaukee, which had been up since 2018, is no longer there.
TMJ4 reached out to the Department of Public Works, and a representative said that the crosswalks were resurfaced because of the construction on Wells within the last year.
It caused some concerns from the LGBTQ community in Milwaukee, as it is a monument that means a lot. The Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project reached out to TMJ4 about the crosswalks and where they had gone.
"I remember when they first got installed, and it was a touchy moment for me as a gay man in Milwaukee," Said David Wolz.
He lives near those crosswalks and owns LaCage, an LGBTQ bar in Walker's Point.
"If I look back, I think I actually had some tears in my eyes because I was like 'wow, this is really happening in Milwaukee,'" Wolz said.
The crosswalks were at an important place in LGBTQ history. Cathedral Square was the point where the first LGBTQ parade in Milwaukee ended.
According to DPW, Milwaukee Pride is the group that would be responsible for repainting the crosswalks, as they have the permit through the city's Paint the Pavement program.
Milwaukee Pride is the group that painted the sidewalk through the city's Paint the Pavement program, which allows groups to privately fund projects to create displays on city streets.
Watch: Milwaukee Pride plans to bring Rainbow Crosswalks back by Pride Month
"They are not taxpayer funded, they are not coming from any other source of municipal, local or state gov aid," said Wes Shaver, the President and CEO of Milwaukee Pride.
Shaver said it is, and always has been, Milwaukee Pride's plan to repaint the crosswalks with the original designs. The organization just had to wait for construction to be over and for better weather.
"Our hope is to have things repainted, hopefully by the end of April or early May."
That would be just in time for Pride Month in June.
The DPW Representative says Pride still has the permit to paint the crosswalks, they are just waiting to hear from the organization on the specific date the project would happen.
The crosswalks coming back is an exciting thought for Wolz, who would also like to see a new display in Walker's Point.
"This is the heart of the gay district of Milwaukee," he said. "There are many lesbian and gay bars down here. So it'd be cool to have the crosswalks down here."
Wolz is a board member for the Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project. The group tells TMJ4 they are also looking to add a display in Walker's Point and will be relying on a group of supportive businesses to privately fund the project.
“LGBTQIA+ crosswalks serve as visible symbols of inclusion, pride, and historical recognition. They highlight the contributions and struggles of the LGBTQIA+ community while fostering a sense of belonging in public spaces," said Ricardo Wynn, another board member of the History Project, said in a text to TMJ4 Reporter Brendyn Jones."In Wisconsin, where history often overlooks marginalized voices, these crosswalks help reconnect communities with their hidden heritage. The Wisconsin History Project is committed to ensuring this initiative continues as a way to increase visibility for all LGBTQIA+ individuals in the state. In many other parts of the country, similar initiatives are embraced and celebrated, making LGBTQIA+ history and presence undeniable in public spaces. We believe Wisconsin should do the same, ensuring that all communities see themselves reflected in the places they call home.” Ricardo Wynn, Board Member
Editor's Note: This story was updated from its original form to include more context
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