Fort Lauderdale Stands United: Protesters Defend Rainbow Crosswalks!

Fort Lauderdale Stands United: Protesters Defend Rainbow Crosswalks!

In a vibrant display of solidarity and defiance, dozens of Fort Lauderdale residents gathered at Fort Lauderdale Beach on August 30, 2025, to protest against the Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) controversial order to remove rainbow-painted crosswalks. These bold symbols of LGBTQ+ pride have come under fire following a directive from Governor Ron DeSantis, asserting that decorative crosswalks are non-compliant with state standards aimed at reducing driver distractions. Demonstrators indeed had plenty to say, waving pride flags and holding signs proclaiming “Our Streets, Our Pride.”

The mood was charged as protester Karen Matroni articulated her frustrations, characterizing the state’s actions as a calculated attempt at erasing the community and an extension of an authoritarian agenda targeting LGBTQ+ individuals. Fellow demonstrator Hillary Dougherty echoed these sentiments, labeling the removal of the crosswalks as discriminatory and an affront to both visibility and acceptance.

The Fight for Visibility

Among the prominent voices at the protest was Alfredo Olvera, president of the Dolphin Democrats, who criticized the state’s reasoning, pointing to studies indicating that the crosswalks have not led to increased accidents. The rainbow crosswalks were originally painted to honor marginalized groups and to promote a sense of community pride. The backlash against these crosswalks isn’t confined to Fort Lauderdale either—other cities across Florida are facing similar deadlines, a move decried as an anti-LGBTQ+ push.

In Miami-Dade, Mayor Daniella Levine Cava has publicly expressed outrage over the removal. She emphasizes that these crosswalks symbolize love and unity, not political propagandizing, countering the state’s stance. Even after recent incidents, such as the painting over of a rainbow crossing at the Pulse Nightclub memorial in Orlando, local leaders are standing firm to preserve these expressions of identity.

Broader Context and Support

The FDOT mandates have implications that extend beyond Fort Lauderdale. Cities like Miami Beach, Delray Beach, and Key West are also grappling with similar removal orders. There are fears that if these crosswalks aren’t removed by their deadlines—by September 4 in Fort Lauderdale and September 3 in Key West—state funds could be withheld. Mayor Kenneth Welch from St. Petersburg has expressed a commitment to comply with the order but plans to find other avenues to demonstrate shared values. This ongoing push against rainbow symbols is framed within a larger national conversation about the limits of political expression on public roadways, initiated by a July directive from U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.

At the heart of the protest was the overarching message that LGBTQ+ identities do not distract; they resonate, they heal, and they foster community. Protesters chanted slogans and creatively painted messages close to the FDOT’s operations center, culminating in a collective stand against what they see as an erasure of their community.

As Fort Lauderdale’s mayor prepares to propose an appeal regarding the FDOT’s order, a special city meeting is slated for Wednesday evening to strategize the city’s next steps. The determination of residents and allies in the fight for these rainbows continues to paint a powerful picture of resilience.

For more details on this developing story, visit Local 10 News, AP News, and WSVN.