Madrid has installed inclusive traffic
lights showing gay, lesbian and straight couples holding hands at 72
crossings around the city.
Some of the lights replaced a figure of
a man with that of a woman, while others feature couples. City
officials said the signs foster gender and sexual equality.
The lights started going up on Monday
as the city prepares to host WorldPride from June 23 to July 2. The
10-day touring LGBT Pride festival will coincide with the 24th
annual EuroPride, which is hosted by a different European city each
year.
According to NBC
News, the new signs cost 22,000 euros ($25,000) and will remain
in place after the event.
New York City will become the first
U.S. city to host WorldPride in 2019 as part of the 50th
anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, the 1969 riots credited with
sparking the modern gay rights movement.
Previous host cities have included
Rome, Jerusalem, London and Toronto.