Rainbow Crossing Crackdown

While two South Florida cities take part in hearings this week seeking to preserve their rainbow crosswalks, the removal of two art crosswalks in Coral Gables — by the late renowned Venezuelan artist Carlos Cruz-Diez — happened almost unnoticed. In fact, many residents had been upset by the cost of the installation in the first place.

An Orlando restaurant owner has turned 49 parking spots outside her eatery into art spaces. This move is in response to a state mandate removing rainbow-colored crosswalks and other street art in Florida. On Monday, Trina Gregory of Se7en Bites hosted the event “Parking Space for Pride — A Rainbow Connection.” She received 1,000 applications from artists.

Under the funding agreement, Orange County pays $5 million and Orlando is responsible for the rest along with any cost overruns.

Residents have overwhelmingly told a WLRN poll they are unhappy with the use of government resources to remove rainbow crosswalks under a state mandate, while endorsing the community value of street art. Some respondents, however, said the artwork does not belong in public property and creates a safety issue.

The Miami Beach City Commission has filed a last-minute request for an administrative hearing with the Florida Department of Transportation to contest the state’s order to remove rainbow crosswalks.

Three people were released by a judge after their arrests Sunday evening at the Pulse nightclub memorial in Orlando. Witnesses say they again chalked rainbow colors back into the crosswalk.

The decision comes after numerous municipalities throughout the state were asked to comply with a ban on "non-standard" markings and "political ideology" on streets and pavements, with many LGBTQ pride rainbow crossings targeted.

With Florida cities facing pressure from state and federal officials to remove rainbow crosswalks and other "non-standard markings" from roads and pavements, WLRN is trying to keep tabs on street art in South Florida, and also get a check on how our communities feel about them.

An emergency meeting is planned for Wednesday in Fort Lauderdale as that city and others across Florida are facing state orders to remove rainbow crosswalks by early next month. The state threatens to withhold funding if cities don't comply. These crosswalks celebrate LGBTQ pride and other causes.

The administration of Gov. Ron DeSantis is going after rainbows -- a symbol of gay pride -- all over the state.

Miami Beach Commissioner Laura Dominguez is torching state officials for demanding the city remove the LGBTQ Pride crosswalk on Ocean Drive, saying she will put forth a resolution at the next commission meeting to designate the sidewalks in “rainbow colors.”