Pride flag crosswalk meets opposition in Huntington
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WCHS) — The rainbow pride flag is a controversial symbol for some people, but the city of Huntington plans to have an artist paint a "pride project" at a crosswalk in the heart of downtown.
The project, planned for the corner of 10th Street and Fourth Avenue, is being met with opposition by some, including convicted Jan. 6 insurrectionist Derrick Evans.
"We got to stand up as Christians," he said. "We got to start drawing a line in the sand by standing up and saying we're not going to accept this any longer. This is a line in the sand for me."
Evans' passion to ban the project runs deep. He's gathering a Facebook petition and plans to present it to City Council although no tax dollars are being used to paint and maintain the project -- only private donations.
Sassa Wilkes said the pride project is close to him.
"It's a symbol of, to me when I see it, it means you might have gotten picked on, beat up, bullied or only recently allowed to have certain rights that everybody else is allowed to have," Wilkes said.
The city commissioned Wilkes for the job. He's an artist and said he's willing and able to tackle the job.
"I was absolutely thrilled because of what that means to me as a member of the LGBTQ community, not just an artist," Wilkes said.
According to the city's website, any group or organization can apply for an art project. which is spearheaded by the mayor's council on the arts.
According to the Human Rights Campaign's Municipal Equality Index from last year, Huntington scored a perfect 100. Each year the campaign rates cities based on non-discrimination laws, the city as an employer, its services, law enforcement and leadership on LGBTQ+ equality. In 2023, both Huntington and Morgantown scored perfectly, followed by Wheeling and Parkersburg.
"It does not surprise me. Actually, that would be further proof that we don't need to paint crosswalks to make people feel welcome there," Evans said.
Wilkes, however, said it's more about striving to make those in the LGBTQ community feel welcome and a part of the area.
"Those are the things that make it LGBTQ-friendly," he said. "I don't think it's a matter of once you get there and you're cool with everybody like you don't have to try anymore, I think those efforts are what makes a place feel safe and comfortable for everybody."
For now, the prideful paint job is set in stone. The strokes of a brush will begin this summer.
