The green man who welcomes you to cross the street in most of the world has become more diverse in Austria, with Vienna’s installation of lights that show couples crossing the street, with hearts connecting them. They come in same-sex and mixed-gender versions.
They’ve now been adopted in Salzburg as well, previously known mainly as birthplace of Mozart and the Sound of Music. Originally slated to be removed after the song contest they were installed for, Salzburg’s mayor says it marks the city as “open and tolerant.”
The Vienna installation was part of the promotion for the Eurovision song contest and a big HIV/AIDS charity event, and were to be taken down in June, but popular demand has kept them going—despite complaints from the right-wing Freedom Party, which said the lights were a waste of taxpayer money. They threatened to file criminal charges against the City Council member who came up with the idea.
The conservative People’s Party called for keeping the lights, and suggesting that they could become part of the city’s marketing campaign, and that the city could make money by selling copies in tourist shops. The Green Party member who originated the idea says they are “great for the acceptance of gay and lesbian couples and tourists love them.” The director of Vienna’s Tourist Board confirms that, and says they show Vienna has a “sense of humor.”
And who knows…they may get enough attention to keep people from walking into traffic!
