Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Vienna introduces gay-themed traffic lights

Vienna installs gay-themed traffic lights

A combination of photos shows gay-themed traffic lights in Vienna May 11, 2015. Pedestrians waiting to cross the road in the Austrian capital of Vienna will now be greeted by new traffic light symbols showing couples, some of them same-sex.

Instead of a single figure walking or not walking, the lights will show two women, two men or a heterosexual couple hand in hand, with hearts blinking between them.

City officials say they hope the new signals will improve road safety as well as highlighting Vienna’s commitment to equality, diversity and tolerance. The move comes as Vienna gears up for a huge influx of performers, visitors and media for the Eurovision Song Contest, taking place in the city from May 18 to 23.