Houston’s Pride crosswalk at Westheimer Road and Taft Street, installed in 2017, may be removed after Governor Greg Abbott ordered all local jurisdictions to follow federal and state traffic regulations. Abbott called the design a "distraction for drivers" and said cities that do not comply could lose state and federal transportation funding. Metro, which manages the city’s transit authority, must follow the order within 30 days to keep funding, according to CW39.
Community leaders criticized the governor's order to remove the Pride crosswalk. Pride Houston 365 President Kerry-Ann Morrison said, "The Pride crosswalk at Westheimer and Taft isn’t just paint on pavement. For many of us, especially those of us who came to this country searching for belonging, it’s a promise. It’s a symbol that says you are seen, you are safe, you matter," as reported by CW39.
In response to the planned removal, people gathered at the crosswalk for photos and videos, and some talked about protests and showing support with Pride flags and symbols. Jack Valinski, president of Neartown Montrose Super Neighborhood, said, "... It will not silence us, but it really sort of sets us back, that we can't even have a simple sidewalk crossing," as mentioned by KHOU.
