A rainbow-colored crosswalk symbolizing LGBTQ+ pride and history has been removed from Ocean Drive, following a Florida state directive banning all street art on roadways.
The removal came just two days after Miami Beach officials lost an appeal to stop the state’s order. Workers with the Florida Department of Transportation began dismantling the crosswalk on Sunday. By Monday, the intersection was paved over with plain asphalt.
Miami Beach Commissioner Alex Fernandez said city workers collected the colorful terrazzo pavers with the intention of repurposing them in the future.
“This represented decades of people who endured housing discrimination, expulsion from the military, workplace discrimination, the stigma of HIV and AIDS, the fight for marriage equality — all the hard-won battles that took the LGBTQ community from being marginalized to now being a visible, celebrated part of the community,” Fernandez said.
Installed in 2018, the crosswalk was a popular landmark for tourists and locals alike. Designed by Savino & Miller Design Studio, it featured an Art Deco-inspired pattern in bright rainbow hues, aligning with Miami Beach’s historic design aesthetic.
Fernandez also noted the crosswalk met federal safety guidelines and had half as many traffic accidents as the nearest intersection since its installation.
Its removal follows an order issued by the Florida Department of Transportation under Governor Ron DeSantis, demanding that cities eliminate decorative crosswalks and street art or face the loss of state transportation funding.
The directive has drawn criticism from LGBTQ+ advocates and local leaders who view it as part of a larger political strategy targeting the queer community. It follows other controversial state policies, such as the “Don’t Say Gay” law, which restricts discussions about gender identity and sexual orientation in public schools, as well as laws banning gender-affirming care for trans youth.
Governor DeSantis defended the move, stating, “I think the street art got out of hand. I think it’s much better that we use crosswalks and streets for their intended purpose.”
The Pride crosswalk was among several across the state targeted under the new regulation. One of the first to be removed was a rainbow mural honoring the victims of the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando. That mural was painted over in the middle of the night in August and later restored by community members, only to be re-covered by state crews.
