The rainbow-painted crosswalk outside the former Pulse Nightclub in Orlando has been removed, sparking backlash from local leaders and residents. The change follows a federal directive calling for the elimination of crosswalk designs considered “politically charged” or potentially distracting to drivers.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy recently issued guidance to all 50 governors, urging the removal of roadway art not directly tied to pedestrian or driver safety. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) subsequently arranged for the Pulse tribute crosswalk to be painted over in black and white.
Local Response and Community Outcry
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer condemned the removal, calling the state’s actions “callous” and “a cruel political act.” The rainbow crosswalk had stood undisturbed since 2017, when it was installed after the Pulse nightclub tragedy. That attack, which killed 49 people in 2016, was the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history at the time and left a lasting impact on the LGBTQ community.
In response to the repainting, residents gathered at the site on South Orange Avenue and West Esther Street, waving rainbow flags and attempting to restore the colors with chalk. However, their markings were quickly washed away by rain.
Florida state Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, alleged on social media that Florida Highway Patrol troopers were stationed at the crosswalk to intimidate those attempting to reapply rainbow chalk. Troopers were seen monitoring the intersection over the weekend as locals continued their demonstrations.
Crosswalk History and Federal Standards
The rainbow crosswalk was originally approved by FDOT in 2017 after more than 2,000 people signed an online petition requesting the tribute. It served as both a memorial to the victims and a symbol of resilience for survivors of the shooting.
The recent repainting comes roughly two months after the federal directive was issued. While FDOT later sent Orlando a list of 18 non-compliant street art sites slated for removal, the Pulse crosswalk was not included on that list—raising questions about why the location was among the first to be altered.
Ongoing Tensions at the Pulse Memorial Site
Following the state’s repainting, activists and neighbors briefly restored the rainbow colors at the intersection. FDOT crews soon returned to cover the crosswalk in black again, this time with law enforcement present to enforce compliance.
The dispute underscores ongoing tension between local advocates seeking to preserve the symbolic tribute and federal and state officials enforcing uniform roadway design standards. For many in Orlando, the rainbow crosswalk represented more than street art—it was a visible reminder of lives lost and a community’s fight for equality.