Florida Orders Removal of Pride-Themed Street Art

State cites federal directives to eliminate nonstandard road designs, sparking backlash from local communities.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 8:24pm

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A serene, cinematic painting of an empty crosswalk, with the faint outline of a removed rainbow design still visible on the pavement, conveying a sense of loss and the erasure of marginalized expressions in the public realm.The removal of vibrant, community-driven street art installations sparks concerns over the suppression of LGBTQ+ identity in public spaces.Today in Orlando

The state of Florida is enforcing the removal and repainting of hundreds of colorful pedestrian crossings and street art installations, including rainbow designs and local murals, across the region. The Florida Department of Transportation has ordered cities to eliminate these nonstandard designs by September 4, 2025, citing a federal directive to remove distractions from roadways. The move has sparked resistance from local municipalities, with some cities contesting the order and finding alternative ways to display community pride.

Why it matters

The removal of Pride-themed street art is part of a broader context of LGBTQ+ symbol removal across the United States, raising concerns about the suppression of marginalized communities' public expressions of identity and solidarity.

The details

FDOT crews have been observed painting over a variety of installations, including rainbow designs, local art, and green trail crossings, replacing them with standard black and white lines. In some instances, the state has taken further measures to prevent the art from being restored, such as installing signs prohibiting defacing of public roadways. Among the most contested removals was a rainbow crosswalk in Orlando created to commemorate the 49 people killed during the 2016 Pulse Nightclub shooting.

  • On August 27, 2025, Governor Ron DeSantis addressed the issue during a press conference in Orlando.
  • The state has set a deadline of September 4, 2025, for communities to comply with the order.

The players

Ron DeSantis

The governor of Florida who addressed the issue of removing Pride-themed street art during a press conference.

Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)

The state agency that has ordered cities to eliminate nonstandard street designs, including colorful pedestrian crossings and murals.

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What they’re saying

“Street art had got out of hand and argued that streets and crosswalks should be used for their intended purpose.”

— Ron DeSantis, Governor

What’s next

Cities resisting the move have cited community support and referenced studies suggesting that colorful street art can actually improve pedestrian safety. In St. Petersburg, the city responded to the removal of rainbow crosswalks by installing Pride-inspired bike racks as an alternative way to display community pride.

The takeaway

The removal of Pride-themed street art in Florida is part of a broader trend of suppressing public expressions of LGBTQ+ identity, raising concerns about the marginalization of these communities and the importance of finding alternative ways to celebrate diversity and inclusion in public spaces.