In the early hours of August 21, 2025, the city of Orlando awoke to find the rainbow-striped crosswalk outside the Pulse Memorial—an emblem of both grief and resilience—suddenly gone. Painted over without warning, the crosswalk had long commemorated the 49 lives lost in the 2016 Pulse LGBTQ nightclub shooting, which at the time was the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history. The abrupt removal, executed by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), has ignited a fierce debate over LGBTQ visibility, local autonomy, and the boundaries of public art on American streets.
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer did not mince words in his response. "We are devastated to learn that overnight the state painted over the Pulse Memorial crosswalk on Orange Avenue," Dyer wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "But we know that while this crosswalk has been removed, Orlando’s commitment to honoring the 49 can never be erased." In a follow-up statement, he called the act "a cruel political act," emphasizing that the crosswalk, installed by the state in 2017, met national safety standards and provided increased visibility for visitors to the memorial (according to CNN). The removal, he said, was done "without any supporting safety or discussion," and he pledged that the city would continue to honor the victims.
The move came just two months after Orlando marked the ninth anniversary of the Pulse tragedy on June 12, 2025. The timing added salt to an already raw wound for many in the community, who saw the crosswalk as a living tribute and a symbol of hope. The city council had recently approved plans to build a permanent memorial, with construction expected to be completed by 2027, but the loss of the crosswalk felt immediate and personal.
Reaction from LGBTQ advocates and allies was swift and scathing. Equality Florida, a leading advocacy group, condemned the act as a "cowardly abuse of power" and "an extreme escalation in [Governor Ron] DeSantis’s agenda to erase LGBTQ visibility and censor our history." They called for a peaceful gathering at the Pulse Memorial that evening, urging the community to "refuse to be erased." Florida Democratic state Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, the first openly LGBTQ Latino elected to the state legislature, described the removal as a "disgusting act of betrayal" and a "bigoted decision by the state of Florida." He posted videos and photos of himself and others coloring the crosswalk with chalk and waving rainbow flags in defiance.
Survivors and local officials echoed this outrage. Brandon Wolf, who lived through the Pulse massacre, wrote on social media, "In the dark of night, they came to erase our show of solidarity, our declaration that we will never forget. The cowards who feel threatened by our lives should feel lucky they didn’t have to bury the ones they love—then watch the state come & desecrate their memory." Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan, the city’s first openly gay elected official, posted a photo with a thumbs-down gesture at the newly painted crosswalk, stating, "No notification. No due process. So angry. They can’t erase us."
Yet, the state government stood firm. Governor Ron DeSantis responded to criticism on X, stating, "We will not allow our state roads to be commandeered for political purposes." Florida Democratic state Rep. Anna Eskamani countered, "The rainbow crosswalk was never a political statement, and caring about people of all backgrounds is not meant to be a political statement. And, more visible crosswalks help to increase visibility and safety too. But what is political, what is authoritative, and what is disrespectful to the 49 lives murdered and our entire community, is sneaking into the city in the middle of the night to literally erase a rainbow crosswalk that was originally established with FDOT approval!!"
The removal was not an isolated incident. On June 30, 2025, the FDOT issued a memo mandating that all traffic control devices, including pavement markings, must comply with the FDOT Design Manual. The directive, which followed a new state law (SB 1662) banning asphalt art on streets, intersections, crosswalks, and sidewalks, threatened to withhold state funds from non-compliant agencies. The memo cited safety concerns, arguing that "non-standard surface markings, signage, and signals that do not directly contribute to traffic safety or control can lead to distractions or misunderstandings, jeopardizing both driver and pedestrian safety."
Federal officials reinforced the state’s position. On July 1, 2025, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy sent a letter to all 50 states, emphasizing the need for "consistent" and "distraction-free" roadway markings. Duffy posted on X, "Taxpayers expect their dollars to fund safe streets, not rainbow crosswalks. Political banners have no place on public roads. I’m reminding recipients of @USDOT roadway funding that it’s limited to features advancing safety, and nothing else. It’s that simple."
The crackdown has not been limited to Orlando. Cities across Florida—Delray Beach, Key West, Miami Beach, Boynton Beach, and Tallahassee—have faced similar demands to remove rainbow crosswalks and other Pride-themed pavement art. In Miami Beach, FDOT gave the city until September 4 to remove its iconic rainbow crosswalks on Ocean Drive and 12th Street, threatening to do the job themselves and bill the city if it did not comply. Commissioner Joe Magazine called the state’s intervention "complete and utter bulls---," asserting, "I am unequivocal in my support and championing of our LGBT community and that crosswalk was a welcome symbol for everyone. It bothered no one."
Other cities have chosen to resist. Delray Beach and Key West, for example, refused to remove their rainbow markings, despite warnings that the state could withhold funding. Administrative hearings have been offered, but FDOT has made it clear that no exceptions or waivers will be granted. Key West Mayor Danise Henriquez, surprised by Orlando’s overnight removal, expressed concern for her city’s own crosswalks, stating that the rainbow pavement "represent[s] our one human family."
Supporters of the crosswalks argue that they are more than just art—they are symbols of inclusivity, reminders of tragedy, and testaments to the enduring spirit of the LGBTQ community. Miami Beach Commissioner Laura Dominguez lamented, "Miami Beach has always been a city that welcomes everyone, and this crosswalk stands as a visible reminder of that commitment. Our community is stronger because of our LGBTQ residents, neighbors, and visitors." Commissioner Alex Fernandez likened the state’s actions to "the Soviet Union, which stripped color from its people as a means of control."
On the other side, state and federal officials maintain that their actions are about safety and the proper use of public funds, not discrimination. The FDOT and U.S. Department of Transportation argue that non-standard markings can distract drivers and jeopardize safety, and that public roadways should not be used for political or social messaging of any kind.
For now, the future of rainbow crosswalks in Florida remains uncertain. As cities weigh the risks of defying state orders against the values of their communities, the debate shows no sign of abating. What is clear is that the removal of Orlando’s Pulse Memorial crosswalk has become a flashpoint in a larger struggle over visibility, memory, and the meaning of public space.
The streets may have been painted over, but the conversation—and the commitment to honor those lost—continues, echoing far beyond the boundaries of Orange Avenue.
