Newtown’s Bedford Square to be renamed ‘Pride Square’

By DOUGLAS MAGALETTI

Newtown’s Bedford Square is set to become Pride Square.

Inner West Council is seeking to permanently rename the public square outside Newtown Town Hall in time for WorldPride 2023.

Pride Square Motion Passed By Council Unanimously

Labor councillor Mat Howard put forward the amendment which was passed unanimously.

“We have kick-started the process of applying to the Geographical Names Board to rename the public square outside Newtown Town Hall ‘Pride Square’ with the aim of having this in place before Sydney World Pride next year,” Cr Howard said.

Cr Howard believes that Bedford Square is an ideal location as it is centrally located just adjacent to Newtown Station and is “right in the middle of businesses that are LGBTQ and/or LGBTQ friendly”.

“I know when I first moved to Sydney, Newtown was the first place I came to looking for connection and support,” Cr Howard said.

“I hope future generations of young LGBTQ+ people will do the same, see Pride Square at the heart of the suburb, and know that this is a community where they can be safe, be valued, and thrive.”

Rainbow Crossing Also Coming To Newtown

Pride Square and the recently announced Rainbow Crossing would join the Rainbow Crossing in Summer Hill.

The Newtown Rainbow Crossing was proposed by Independent councillor Pauline Lockie on March 6 and was passed unanimously at the following council meeting.

The Newtown Rainbow Crossing and Pride Square would be the fulfilment of a commitment made by Cr Howard during his campaign trail last year.

Prior to the 2021 local council elections, he told Star Observer:  “I’m committed to delivering an Inner West Pride Centre, creating a rainbow crossing in Newtown, and making sure Council marks IDAHOBIT, Transgender Day of Visibility and Transgender Day of Remembrance. These policies are about ensuring LGBTQI+ people are supported, acknowledged and share the sense of belonging that makes the Inner West such a great place to live.”

WorldPride 2023

A WorldPride Committee will also be established to help the council best plan for WorldPride 2023.

WorldPride is an international LGBTQI pride festival that is held every two years in different cities around the world. Sydney WorldPride 2023 will incorporate all the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras events and will be the first time the global LGBTQI festival will be held in the southern hemisphere.

Sydney WorldPride 2023 will take place February 17 – March 5 2023.