LGBT students, parents, faculty, other residents — and our allies — believe in a Cupertino that loves and respects all members of the community, including our queer residents, who may often feel unrecognized and isolated. A rainbow crosswalk across from Main St. would be an easy, inexpensive way that we can join numerous other cities in better acknowledging and uplifting our LGBT community.

Community-fostered visibility is essential when you consider the unique challenges faced particularly by our queer youth. The South Bay ranks as having one of the lowest rates of LGBT individuals of any metropolitan area in the U.S., roughly half the number of San Francisco and the East Bay. In Santa Clara County, LGBTQ individuals comprise 29% of homeless youth and young adults under the age of 25 and 10% of homeless adults ages 25 and older. Nearly half of those who responded in the assessment felt they might have needed professional help in the past 12 months because of mental health or substance use concerns.

Lesbian, gay and bisexual youth are four times more likely to attempt suicide than their straight peers. Nearly half of transgender respondents in the County’s health assessment seriously considered suicide or hurting themselves during the past 12 months.

No doubt, we can and should continue to do more than this symbolic gesture, but this is a simple way for us to work toward a culture of inclusion and community—for which Cupertino often lacks.

And a little color never hurt nobody :)