Following a state-level crackdown on colorful public crosswalks, two Florida municipalities have found alternative ways to showcase their support for LGBTQ+ residents. As Daniel Villarreal reported for LGBTQ Nation, both St. Petersburg and Fort Lauderdale have unveiled new Pride installations that navigate around the recent Florida Department of Transportation restrictions signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
The state’s ban on pavement art effectively forced cities to remove existing rainbow crosswalks or face the loss of local transportation funding. In response to the mandate, St. Petersburg officials opted to paint the steps of their city hall in the colors of the Progress Pride flag to mark the start of Pride month. Meanwhile, Fort Lauderdale partnered with a local developer to install a rainbow-colored circle on private business property near a popular beach, strategically placing the display outside the jurisdiction of the state’s roadway rules.
These creative workarounds highlight an ongoing friction between state policy and local governance regarding public inclusivity. By shifting their visibility efforts to municipal buildings and private property, city leaders are demonstrating a continued commitment to diversity while avoiding direct legal and financial penalties from the state.
Read Daniel Villarreal full write-up, including statements from local mayors and community organizers, at the original article on LGBTQ Nation: https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/2-cities-defy-gov-ron-desantis-anti-rainbow-orders-by-creatively-displaying-their-pride-colors/
