Four special designs have been created to represent Lesbian, Gay, Hetrosexual and Transgender relationships, using the widely recognised gender symbols.
Siemens has changed 34 of the traditional ‘green-man’ symbols to different diversity symbols, with these remaining in place for the duration of the bank holiday weekend. The signals being changed are on the junctions of London Road & Fairfield St junction, Whitworth St & Sackville St and finally Princess St & Whitworth St 8 optics.
Mark Fletcher, Chief Executive for Manchester Pride, said; “It’s great to see Siemens stepping out in support of LGBT+ people. As the charity which campaigns for LGBT+ equality all year round in Greater Manchester, we work hard to engage organisations to provide greater visibility. These diversity images on traffic lights do this is a fun and engaging way”.
Juergen Maier, CEO of Siemens UK said: “We are proud to have worked so closely with Manchester Pride and TfGM on this initiative, and to show our support for the festival in a fun and engaging way by installing these LGBT+ signal designs. Diversity and inclusivity is very important to Siemens, and this is a great example of a simple idea of supporting Pride and getting all people in Manchester to engage in a conversation about LGBT+ inclusion.”
Bob Morris Transport for Greater Manchester Chief Operating Officer said: “One of Greater Manchester’s greatest assets is its diversity. We are proud, in conjunction with our traffic signals contractor Siemens, to transform some of the traffic lights around the Gay Village for Pride. Hopefully they’ll give visitors and residents a special welcome as they enjoy the festivities over the Big Weekend.”
Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester Bev Hughes said: “Greater Manchester is known around the world for being a beacon of hope and acceptance for LGBT+ people. This initiative is a superb symbol of how everyone in our city-region should be free to express who they are and who they love.”
The Big Weekend is renowned for bringing some of the best homegrown and international artists to the heart of Manchester City Centre to celebrate LGBT+ life and 2018 is set to prove no different. Topping the bill on the Thomas Cook Airlines Stage will be artists including Rita Ora, Jake Shears, Sigala and Alexandra Burke.
Siemens will also be sponsoring a well-being community café at LGBT Foundation in the Gay Village over the course of Pride which will provide a dedicated space for people to relax, meet other people and reduce social isolation.
