No rainbow-painted crosswalks says Town Council

Queer Block Island is busy planning for its third Block Island Pride weekend to be held in September, and has been denied by the Town Council in its request to paint crosswalks on Weldon’s Way in rainbow colors.

The denial did not come as a general lack of support for the group, but rather that the council was wary of the precedent it might set.

Queer Block Island organizer Austin Morin tried to weigh into the Council’s meeting on March 6 via Zoom, but First

Warden Keith Stover informed him that since some of the provisions for open meetings during covid had been rescinded, the public could not participate remotely. “And it pains me to say that,” said Stover, adding that staff, and contracted people such as a town solicitor or town planner could still participate virtually.

Luckily, another representative from the group was there and she outlined the request to the council, including that QBI recognized there would be a financial aspect to painting the sidewalks that they would cover through fundraising and a request for support to the Tourism Council.

QBI had another request – one that asked the council for a resolution to do several things, including changing the name of Victory Day in August to Ocean State Day and establishing the third Friday in June as an LGBTQ+ Pride Holiday in Rhode Island.

Since Victory Day is only celebrated in Rhode Island, many people don’t realize what the somewhat controversial holiday is about. A few years ago, the holiday that commemorates the anniversary of the victory of the Allies over Japan in World War II was renamed to drop “Japan.” Stover said he was a bit confused about it.

“I’ll take over here,” said Councilor Martha Ball. After giving some history of the name changes she said: “The basic premise here is – and I’ll say it – I truly believe the only reason we really, really, really, have a holiday is that it’s a summer holiday.”

Councilor Neal Murphy said he searched the internet and “couldn’t find anything about current legislation [at the state level] regarding this, but I think if I heard this correctly, your goal was to put it out there from the standpoint of safety, and setting a tone for what’s happening in other states.”

“Speaking personally,” said Stover, “I would be very willing to consider a resolution that is around safety and inclusiveness – all of those if you would like to bring that.”

But, Stover said he wasn’t comfortable with the resolution. “I worry that we do a resolution that doesn’t have anything to do with something that’s before the [state] legislature,” he said. “But there may be pieces of legislation that are disturbing and I would be happy to personally look at those.”

“Last year we had a proclamation for the fall event which is more to the point,” said Ball. “I wouldn’t be in favor of anything that jumbled two things together like this, anyway.”

Later on in the meeting resident Kim Gaffett said of the proposed resolution for a state holiday: “Lots of times you just have to be bold... Ask legislators to draft bills and take it as far as it goes.”

“When [state Representative] Tina Spears was here and she said ‘what would you like to see?’ I said ‘Victory Day go away and become a day of service, state wide,” said Councilor Molly O’Neill. “From her facial expression, that wasn’t going to be the hill she was going to die on in her first term.”

Regarding painting the sidewalks, Stover said, “It actually took us a while to find a cross-walk that wasn’t on a state road.” Thus, Weldon’s Way, also called

“I think we have to start at the beginning,” said Molly O’Neill, questioning the logic, or lack thereof, of the placement of the crosswalks on Weldon’s Way. “One of those crosswalks ends at a dumpster.”

Moped Alley by many, was chosen.

Stover said he would like to consult with the town manager, who was away at a conference, and Highways Superintendent Mike Shea about how other cities and towns handle such requests, and that he didn’t want it to get to the point where “every week we get another request.”

“I think there are places that do things for a day – like the Chicago River” being dyed green for St. Patrick’s Day, said Ball.

“I think we have to start at the beginning,” said O’Neill, questioning the logic, or lack thereof, of the placement of the crosswalks on Weldon’s Way. “One of those crosswalks ends at a dumpster.”

O’Neill also asked “Do we want to paint our crosswalks? What is the process? And I don’t like the word permanent.”

Second Warden Sven Risom was also wary, this time about the legal ramifications, noting crosswalks usually have reflective paint. “What is the legal liability if someone gets hurt?”

Murphy noted there were many occasions that people might like to celebrate by painting the crosswalks – Black History Month, Women’s History Month, etc.

Gaffett suggested that instead of a sidewalk, perhaps designate a space that could be used by various groups for public art.

“I love that idea,” said Stover.