CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati City Council voted Wednesday to rename part of a downtown street in honor of the local LGBTQ+ community.
The vote gives the honorary secondary name of Cincinnati Pride Way to a stretch of Seventh Street between Race Street and Central Avenue, just outside City Hall.
Council member Chris Seelbach, who sponsored the legislation, said he picked that area because it serves as the staging site for the annual Cincinnati Pride Parade, which was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to concerns related to COVID-19. Organizers of Cincinnati Pride said they plan to move forward with the parade in 2022.
Today, Council UNANIMOUSLY passed the creation of "Cincinnati Pride Way" on 7th Street between Central and Plum.
— Chris Seelbach (@ChrisSeelbach) June 16, 2021
This is the start of the Pride Parade every year.
The new street sign will look something like this. pic.twitter.com/sc4VwDHX0S
The city will post a street sign later this summer, according to a staff member for Seelbach. It's expected that a ceremony will take place at that time as well.
Wednesday's vote was the latest effort by Cincinnati to recognize the local LGBTQ+ community this June, or Pride month.
On June 1, the city hoisted a Pride flag outside City Hall. It will stay raised throughout Pride month.
Seelbach initiated the flag-raising at City Hall three years ago. He has also spearheaded several city-led efforts to make Cincinnati more inclusive, including the painting of a rainbow crosswalk in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood.
Each June, he recognizes the contributions of local LGBTQ+ trailblazers and advocates during meetings of city council. On Wednesday, Seelbach sponsored resolutions honoring Tim'm West and Shawn Baker.
West is an educator, author and artist known for his advocacy work. Baker was honored for his role with the Cincinnati Pride Parade as well as supporting the local chapter of the Human Rights Campaign.