London Just Installed Pedestrian Traffic Lights Depicting Same-Sex Couples

For a limited time, pedestrians in London's Trafalgar Square will be guided across the street by pedestrian traffic lights depicting LGBTQ solidarity and support. Since Sunday, about 50 lights were revamped to display different combinations of hand-holding couples and gender symbols, including the transgender symbol. 

Pride in London partnered with Transport for London to make the temporary makeover, which is in celebration of Saturday's Pride in London parade.

"These new signals show that we stand shoulder to shoulder with [the LGBTQ community] and display the tolerance and celebration of difference in our city," London's mayor Sadiq Khan said in a statement. 

The signals were inspired by a similar set installed in Vienna in 2015 which depicted gay and straight couples. That move was to show how "open-minded" the Austrian city is, according to a spokesperson. The signs were so positively received, the city kept them permanently. 

"I am proud, as a gay Londoner that we are unveiling this now following the recent tragic events in Orlando and our thoughts are with all those affected," Martyn Loukes, chair of OUTbound, Transport for London's LGBT+ staff network, said in the release. 

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