![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/rainbow_crosswalk_photo_credit_alex_gonzalez.webp.jpeg\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tA rainbow crossroad in the Cedar Springs\/Oak Lawn neighborhood, where the nightlife scene is gold.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tA rainbow crossroad in the Cedar Springs\/Oak Lawn neighborhood, where the nightlife scene is gold.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
Alex Gonzalez<\/p>\n
The rainbow crosswalks paving the way for pedestrians <\/a>along Cedar Springs Road could be in jeopardy thanks to a directive issued by Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday afternoon.\u00a0<\/p>\n In the name of \u201croadway safety,\u201d Abbott announced that he has directed the Texas Department of Transportation to crack down on road compliance measures, specifically ensuring that \u201cpolitical ideologies\u201d <\/a>aren\u2019t displayed through road paint or signage. Cities and counties have 30 days to get into compliance before their road funding could come under threat, Axios reports.\u00a0<\/a>While Abbott\u2019s announcement does not explicitly call out rainbow crosswalks, the governor\u2019s announcement came just one week after a neighborhood in Houston repainted its colorful crosswalks.<\/p>\n \u201cTexans expect their taxpayer dollars to be used wisely, not advance political agendas on Texas roadways,\u201d Abbott announced. \u201cAny city that refuses to comply with the federal road standards will face consequences, including the withholding or denial of state and federal road funding and suspension of agreements with TxDOT.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Dallas\u2019 rainbow crosswalks received a facelift in June of this year, courtesy of the North Texas LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce. Chamber CEO Tony Vedda told The Dallas Voice the crosswalks<\/a> were a \u201cbold, visible reminder of the strength and resilience of our LGBTQ+ community.\u201d When we got Vedda on the phone Wednesday afternoon, he hadn\u2019t yet heard of Abbott\u2019s directive. <\/p>\n A statement from the chamber emphasized that the Cedar Springs Road crosswalks were privately funded, not paid for by taxpayer dollars as Abbott suggested.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat began as an act of love and civic pride is now being mischaracterized as a political controversy. That is disheartening,\u201d the statement said. \u201cOur purpose has never been political. It has been\u2014and remains\u2014about safety, visibility and authenticity. The rainbow crosswalks serve as a welcoming signal that everyone belongs and that every Texan should be able to walk their streets without fear or shame.\u201d<\/p>\n The FLDOT paved over the rainbow crosswalk at the Pulse memorial last night. <\/p>\n This comes after state and federal directives ordered its removal. <\/p>\n LGBTQ+ people deserve representation everywhere, but especially when mourning the 2nd deadliest mass shooting in American history. pic.twitter.com\/jl1NNlhVam<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Jack Petocz (@Jack_Petocz) August 21, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n While the city has assisted with the installation of the crosswalks in the past, a spokesperson said that Marilla Street wants to hear something a bit more official than a press release before making any changes to Cedar Springs Road.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThe city of Dallas has not yet received direct communication from the state.\u00a0 When we do, we will review the correspondence and investigate what steps are necessary,\u201d a city spokesperson told the Observer.\u00a0<\/p>\n President Donald Trump has backed an ongoing push to eliminate politically motivated \u201casphalt art,\u201d although the existence of the LGBTQ+ community<\/a> is not inherently political. In July, Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy sent states a letter listing \u201ccompliance concerns\u201d such as \u201cnon-standard\u201d colors on the roads. Duffy later called out rainbow crosswalks specifically on social media as a target of the administration.<\/p>\n Florida issued a similar memo, resulting in the overnight removal of the rainbow crosswalk<\/a> outside of the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, where 49 people were killed in a shooting in 2016.\u00a0<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n