Florida bulldozes LGBTQ+ rainbow crossing in Miami Beach
In an aerial view, the intersection where the Florida Department of Transportation removed the LGBTQ+ rainbow crosswalk and replaced it with black pavement on 6 October, , 2025, in Miami Beach, Florida. (Marie LaFauci/ Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
In an aerial view, the intersection where the Florida Department of Transportation removed the LGBTQ+ rainbow crosswalk and replaced it with black pavement on 6 October, , 2025, in Miami Beach, Florida. (Marie LaFauci/ Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Florida has bulldozed an iconic LGBTQ+ rainbow crosswalk in Miami Beach.
A state directive to remove art from crosswalks and intersections deemed “political” or “ideological” resulted in the removal of the iconic rainbow crosswalk in Miami Beach, Florida on Monday (6 October).
The City Commission unanimously appealed the removal of the crosswalk, but were notified that the appeal had been denied.
Originally installed in 2018, the crosswalk had become a symbol of LGBTQ+ visibility and history. Its once-colourful paving has now been replaced with black, but rainbow and Pride flags have been hung near the intersection as a sign of defiance.
Miami Beach commissioner Alex Fernandez said city public works employees collected all of the removed paving stones so that they can be repurposed in the future.
@pinknews Florida’s Department of Transportation has removed the iconic rainbow pride crosswalk on Ocean Drive in Miami Beach, following a state directive to remove art form crosswalks and intersections deemed “political” or “ideological.” The City Commission unanimously appealed the removal of the crosswalk, but received notice it was denied late Friday.Originally installed in 2018, the crosswalk had become a symbol of LGBTQ+ visibility and history. Miami Beach Commissioner Alex Fernandez said city public works employees collected all of the removed paving stones so that they can be repurposed in the future. #MiamiBeach #Miami #Florida #rainbowcrosswalk #lgbtqia ♬ Serious piano strings sad(989795) – Yuli Audio Craft
Fernandez said of the crosswalk, as reported by ABC News: “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.”
The Department of Transportation, under Republican governor Ron DeSantis, ordered the removal of rainbow crosswalks by early September, threatening to withhold federal funding if the order was not followed.
DeSantis has previously said of his administration’s rationale: “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 destruction of the crosswalk follows the removal of the memorial to the 49 people murdered in the Pulse nightclub attack in 2016.
Following the tribute’s removal, Miami-Dade mayor Daniella Levine Cava said: “I am outraged by the state of Florida’s decision to forcefully remove Pride crosswalks, symbols of love, support and unity in our communities.
“These vibrant installations are more than paint on pavement, they reflect the values we hold dear: respect, appreciation of neighbours and the fundamental right to live and love openly.”
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