A RAINBOW would be painted across Collingwoods Smith St in a plan to celebrate Yarra's gay and lesbian community.

“Rainbow crossings” have sprung up in Los Angeles and Sydney and Labor Yarra councillor Simon Huggins said it was Melbourne’s turn to show it was a safe and welcoming place for all.

A crossing made during the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras was removed by an inner-Sydney council last month because it was a potential hazard to pedestrians and drivers.

Residents took to the streets with chalk to create their own crossings.

Pictures: Sydney's DIY rainbow crossings

Cr Huggins said he knew about many people in the Melbourne lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) community who were subjected to abuse or violence because of their sexuality.

“In a very practical way it will be a visual reminder of the ongoing safety issues facing this community and the importance of calling out homophobia when we see it,” he said.

“The crossings will be a great symbol of the past and ongoing contribution of the LGBTI community to the City of Yarra. It is one of the key civil rights movements of the 20th and 21st century.”

Council officers will now prepare a report on where the best locations for a rainbow crossing would be in Yarra.

Cr Huggins suggested Smith St in Collingwood as the ideal location.

