To commemorate the landmark Supreme Court decision effectively legalizing same-sex marriage in the United States, Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. will light up the historic Blue Bridge with the rainbow around the nation’s annual holiday celebrating freedom, self-determination and justice.

The popular bridge – which crosses the Grand River immediately north of Fulton Street – will be illuminated in rainbow colors – a symbol of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender pride – every night for a week starting Thursday July 2 through Friday July 10, 2015. The bridge will light up red, white and blue in honor of the nation’s Independence Day.

“I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the anniversary of our nation’s independence than to also acknowledge the freedom that came from the Supreme Court’s historic decision,” said Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell, who also serves on the Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. Board of Advisors. “Washing an iconic Grand Rapids landmark in a rainbow of colors and also in a traditional red, white and blue motif on our nation’s birthday is most appropriate to express that our community is welcoming and inclusive to all.”

In addition to celebrating the Supreme Court ruling, the rainbow-lit bridge symbolizes the Grand Rapids community’s ongoing commitment and work to build a just and equitable city. The City of Grand Rapids, for example, has policy in place that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in housing and employment.

More and more employers and institutions like Spectrum Health and Grand Valley State University offer health insurance benefits for unmarried couples and same-sex partners.

The Grand Rapids Community Foundation’s Our LGBT Fund and civic organizations such as The Network, Until Love is Equal, and OutPro, organized by the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, continue to advance the work of promoting a welcoming culture for the LGBT community in West Michigan.

And in the wake of last week’s Supreme Court decision, downtown places of worship such as Fountain Street Church and Park Church immediately offered wedding services for same-sex couples.

“The rainbow-lit bridge demonstrates our unwavering commitment to progress, equality and freedom in Downtown Grand Rapids,” said DGRI President and CEO Kristopher Larson. “Grand Rapids is a city of great and growing human diversity. Embracing, celebrating and nurturing that diversity only strengthens our community.”

Fully renovated in 2013, the Blue Bridge is illuminated by a sophisticated color-changing LED lighting system that enables the bridge at night to be lit with a wide variety of hues on special occasions.

The Blue Bridge joins a growing list of American landmarks lit like a rainbow in celebration of greater equality, including the White House, the Empire State Building, and the Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World in Florida.