Pride rainbow walkway first step in making The Square more inclusive
A PRIDE rainbow walkway was unveiled in the Level 2 car park of the Square Shopping Centre, adjacent to Sean Walsh Park and the N81, last week.
The vibrant artwork of the Quasar Progress flag was painted by local artist Fran Halpin and was launched as part of Pride Month. It will now be a permanent fixture in The Square.
The flag was designed by American non-binary artist and graphic designer Daniel Quasar.
The Quasar Progress flag is a variation of the traditional rainbow Pride flag, which includes additional colours to represent transgender people and LGBTQ+ communities of colour.
Mayor Peter Kavanagh was on hand for the launch of the walkway last Thursday, June 2, as were Cllr Alan Edge, Pride at The Square ambassador Paul Ryder, Fiona Power from The Square, and Dave Mooney from Fusion Events.
Cllr Alan Edge, one of the founders of the South Dublin LGBT+ Network and a campaign officer for LGBT Ireland, told The Echo: “I was delighted to attend the launch of the amazing pride artwork at The Square by local artist Fran Halpin and to engage with Fiona Power and her great team about all of the exciting Pride initiatives The Square have planned.
“For a major hub such as The Square to take these steps is so important and the power of this symbolic artwork is enormous in terms of helping LGBTI+ people of all ages feel that they belong, that they are valued and that they are celebrated for who they are in their local area and by their local community.
“The choice of the Quasar Progress flag as the image is very significant too.
“The Progress flag is a reimagining of the original Pride flag which reflects not only the diversity of our society as a whole, but also the level of diversity within the LGBTI+ community.
“Given the additional challenges which can be faced by LGBTI+ people within minority communities, the importance of this can’t be underestimated and full credit to The Square for going with this option and affirming their support and allyship for the entire LGBTI+ community in all its wonderful diversity.”
LGBT Ireland is The Square’s official Pride charity partner, and in a post on social media a shopping centre spokesperson said the new Pride walkway reflects The Square’s commitment to supporting the LGBT+ community.
“Our Rainbow Walkway installation is a permanent fixture, and the first step to making The Square a more inclusive, welcoming place and ongoing supporter of our LGBT+ community,” they wrote.
For more information on The Square’s Pride celebrations over the course of this month, visit @thesqtallaght on Instagram and Facebook.
