St. Petersburg, Florida, lit its skyline with a rainbow laser display during Winter Pride St. Pete, visible more than 60 miles away. Organizers described the show as a response to the state’s removal of rainbow crosswalks. Executive director Rob Hall called it a remarkable moment. Laser artist Yvette Mattern said she was “so proud to be able to do this where that rainbow crosswalk was taken away.” Florida’s law directing FDOT compliance effectively bans pavement art. City officials complied with this, citing funding warnings, while Mayor Welch stood by the community and criticized recent attempts “to usurp local values.”
