Last August, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis ordered about 400 "non-standard" pieces of street art removed. Most of these were rainbow, Pride-themed crosswalks and murals. This happened even though they had received state approval when first installed.
DeSantis was following a directive from United States Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. Duffy had urged governors to "improve mobility and safety on roadways."
The new policy became very clear when the DeSantis administration painted over a rainbow crosswalk. This crosswalk was outside Orlando's former Pulse nightclub, where 49 people died in a 2016 shooting.
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Start Your News DetoxIn response, community members repainted the tribute themselves. Many cities tried to legally resist removing rainbow crosswalks. However, most eventually complied due to threats of losing state funding.
Creative Solutions for Rainbow Crosswalks
Most original Pride crosswalks have been removed. But cities and businesses have found creative ways to show support. They have installed rainbow bike racks and moved rainbow crosswalks to sidewalks. Some have painted private parking lots with LGBTQ+-friendly murals. Others have even displayed rainbow laser beams in the night sky.
Miami Beach has now joined these creative efforts.
Five months after Florida Department of Transportation crews removed Miami Beach's original Pride crosswalk, a new version will be built. It will be in Lummus Park, close to the original spot on Ocean Drive and 12th Street.
The new display will use 3,606 colorful pavers. Savino Miller Design Studio designed them. Workers will place them brick-by-brick in the park. An unveiling will happen later this week.
Commissioner Tanya Katzoff Bhatt said removing the original crosswalk was a "slap in the face." She noted it was a symbol of Miami Beach's welcome to LGBTQ+ residents and visitors. The intersection was also the safest on Ocean Drive.
Bhatt added that it is important to "rise above the manufactured culture wars." She said building something lasting recognizes the struggle and celebrates love.
A Permanent Park Installation
The new park display is meant to be permanent. In February, the Miami Beach city commission set aside up to $120,000. This money came from the city’s 2025 year-end surplus. It will pay for designing and installing the replica crosswalk in the park.
Local 10 News reported the project will cost about $100,000. It will use both original and new pavers to create the rainbow sidewalk.
The city commission also approved a plaque to explain the display's history. Commissioner Joe Magazine has promised to donate benches to the park.
The reinstallation and unveiling will happen during the city’s 18th annual Miami Beach Pride celebration in early April. This event will also include a Pride flag-raising ceremony at City Hall. An annual Pride Parade will take place along Ocean Drive, where the crosswalk once was.
Commissioner Alex J. Fernandez, the only openly gay member of the city commission, thanked his colleagues. He said, "When the State forcibly removed this crosswalk, it was our straight allies on the Miami Beach City Commission who ensured our gay community would not be pushed into the shadows." He added that their leadership upholds values of love, compassion, and equality.
