MTA to show its support for LGBTQ+ Pride Month with decals on trains, including the LIRR, and buses

The MTA wants commuters to know hate will not be tolerated on its trains, buses or throughout its transit system and is rolling out Pride Street decals, including Pride hearts, on subway cars and LIRR trains, as well as maintenance vehicles — all, in support of LGBTQ+ Pride Month 2023.

Additionally, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority will make limited edition Pride Street Metro cards available at seven NYC Transit station locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens.

Decals will even be placed at bridges and tunnels, officials said Tuesday.

At a news conference at Union Square Park, MTA acting chief customer officer Shanifah Rieara said the announcement was to make it clear "hate will not be tolerated in New York City — and, definitely not in our transit system." She said MTA officials were working daily with the NYPD and the mayor's office to find new ways to ensure the safety of all commuters and employees.

The MTA chief accessibility officer, Quemuel Arroyo, said the need was clear. In a wheelchair, Arroyo told those gathered he is an immigrant, Black, Dominican and queer — and that because of that he knows the importance of this simple message: "Everyone belongs in the transit system."

"We want people to feel safely navigating our system 24 hours [a day]," he said. "Our diversity is truly our biggest asset here in New York and we celebrate that not only this day and this month but every day. And, it is very important that we do so … There are many places around the country, around the world where hate is being celebrated, where people are spewing hate and sharing that negative message … In New York, we know that immigrants and our diverse community moves this city, it moves New York, and we celebrate that diversity."

The MTA said as a show of support, a contingent of employees would march in the annual Pride Parade later this month in the Village.

"Every day is Pride Day at the MTA," Arroyo said, "not only for our commuters, but for our employees as well."

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”