A rainbow crosswalk was painted late Wednesday near the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida, after nearly ten years of efforts to remove “political flags” from public spaces. This crosswalk pays tribute to the 49 individuals who lost their lives in a tragic 2016 mass shooting at the LGBTQ-friendly venue.
The crosswalk, first introduced in 2017, serves as a memorial for the victims. In 2023, Orlando acquired the site and plans to create a permanent monument, demolishing the building that has remained closed since the incident.
Florida Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith, who made history as the first openly gay Latino elected to Congress in 2016, criticized the crosswalk’s removal, labeling it “a disgusting betrayal” in a post on social media. He expressed disdain at the way the changes were made so discreetly, sharing a video moments before the crosswalk was painted over.
Governor Ron DeSantis responded, asserting that state roads shouldn’t be used for political expressions. In recent months, his administration has downplayed mentions of LGBTQ and Hispanic communities in contexts related to the Pulse shooting, despite previous acknowledgments.
In 2019, DeSantis had to amend an earlier declaration that omitted LGBTQ individuals while honoring Pulse Memorial Day, claiming he had no part in the initial oversight. This time, the removal of the rainbow crosswalks comes amid broader initiatives at a national level advocating for inclusion and diversity.
In July, Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy communicated the expectation that public funds should focus on safer streets rather than rainbow crossings. He stated that failure to comply could lead to loss of transportation funding for cities that do not remove such symbolic markings, which he claimed posed safety risks.
Orlando’s Mayor Buddy Dyer, a Democrat, expressed his heartbreak over the crosswalk’s removal, deeming the state’s abrupt action a political maneuver lacking proper debate or support from safety data. Dyer emphasized that all safety crossings in Orlando have adhered to national standards and were installed with state cooperation.
Despite attempts to clarify the rationale for the crosswalk’s removal, officials from the Florida Department of Transportation have not commented on Dyer’s assertions about safety documentation.
Brandon Wolf, a survivor of the Pulse shooting, also condemned the removal. He articulated that this act, carried out under the cover of darkness, felt like an attempt to erase a symbol of solidarity and remembrance. Wolf, who lost two close friends in the shooting, stressed that those in power should appreciate the loss endured by victims’ families.
The LGBTQ advocacy group Equality Florida organized a peaceful gathering at the Pulse Memorial to ensure that their message of visibility and remembrance couldn’t be silenced. They encouraged participants to showcase their support through rainbow-themed attire and accessories, using the hashtag #ShowYourRainbow on social media.
In a statement, the group urged Florida cities to create permanent displays of LGBTQ representation, arguing that such symbols are vital in combatting a political climate that has historically attacked LGBTQ identities. They emphasized the importance of these memorials as commitments to never forget the trauma that has occurred.
