WATCH: Atlanta Approves Rainbow Crosswalks

Joining West Hollywood, Seattle, Philadelphia, and other cities, the city government of Atlanta has approved a project to install permanent rainbow crosswalks.

The corner of 10th and Piedmont, an epicenter for the LGBT community in Atlanta, will sport LGBT colors beginning October 10.

The initiative was spearheaded by a gay Atlantan, Robert Sepulved, Jr., who says his idea was to create a 'symbol of unity' in Atlanta. "I wanted to install the rainbow crosswalks in Atlanta for there to be a clear visual message of acceptance, diversity, unity, and tolerance." Sepulveda tells The Advocate.

"So when people from across the world visit Atlanta they'll see a symbol of unity and acceptance."

Sepulveda first approached the city about installing the crosswalks in 2014.

He received no opposition to the proposal, with city officials welcoming the idea. "The crosswalks have been greeted with open arms from the city of Atlanta and local businesses," Sepulveda tells The Advocate.

After a year of cutting all the red tape, the project has been approved and is expected to be completed by October, just in time for Atlanta Pride. "My hopes are that these crosswalks advance the awareness of equality," Sepulveda says.

"I hope when that little boy or little girl comes into the City of Atlanta knowing inside they're different, knowing as I did as a child that I was gay, that when they see these crosswalks they will remember what they stand for ... that they are accepted and loved. That you are not wrong or evil or bad for being who you were born. I want that little boy or little girl to grow up knowing and remembering that it's OK to be you and it's OK to love who you want to love!"

The city is not paying for the construction of the crosswalks. The project is being funded by private donation through crowdsourcing. including GoFundMe.

WATCH the story below from Atlanta TV station WXIA: