Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ campaign against rainbow crosswalks reached a dramatic point this week in the Florida Keys. In the dead of night, the Florida Department of Transportation painted over Key West’s Pride display at the intersection of Duval and Petronia Streets. The erasure of the small six-foot-deep crosswalk gave way to DeSantis’ claim that such street art is a traffic hazard. Bikers and pedestrians at this intersection move faster than the traffic in the slow-paced resort’s gayborhood.
The Key West Business Guild called the action disheartening. In a statement, the group wrote: “While this action has caused pain and disappointment, we are not deterred…The Guild’s board and staff remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring that the LGBTQ+ community is visibly represented in our Historic Gayborhood.” The Guild urged residents to contact the Key West City Commission.
But the governor’s crackdown stretched beyond Key West. Before dawn on September 9, FDOT also removed the Pride intersection in Delray Beach, near Fort Lauderdale. The city later said, “This immediate action by FDOT did not allow the city commission the opportunity to review the order as an elected government body.”
Delray Beach Vice Mayor Rob Long was blunt. He said, “Let’s be honest. We all know this is not about traffic safety. This is political.”
Activists continue to resist the ban by repainting rainbow crosswalks, despite arrests and police crackdowns. As one protester proved, even chalk-covered shoes can send a powerful message of defiance.
