In a move that blindsided residents and advocates alike, the vibrant rainbow crosswalk in Miami Beach, known as a beacon of LGBTQ+ pride, was dismantled brick by brick yesterday morning. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) carried out the removal without giving prior notice to city officials, sparking a wave of emotion across the community.
CC Glitzer, a local drag artist, captured the sentiments of many when she expressed her dismay at the crosswalk's abrupt disappearance. "Our pride is getting erased just like that," she told Local 10, "It’s very painful." Similarly, City Commissioner Alex Fernandez questioned the rationale behind the action, criticizing the use of public funds for the removal of an emblem universally embraced by the community. "Why waste taxpayer dollars to remove something safe, beautiful, iconic, and embraced by everyone?" Fernandez remarked in a statement obtained by Local 10.
The symbolic crosswalk, located near the Palace Bar, was not only a fixture of support for LGBTQ+ residents but also a site of cultural expression. Tom Donall, owner of the Palace, recalled the initial installation of the rainbow crosswalk as a significant event for the area. "It's really sad to see this go because it took a lot to put this together," Donall shared with Local 10.
The broader context for this removal comes as part of a crackdown by Florida officials on symbols of LGBTQ+ representation. This was indicated in a headline from the Miami Herald which suggested a statewide initiative that led to the gutting of the vibrant landmark. The Palace Bar along, with the community at large, have been left to grapple with the implications of this removal. Drag performer TP Lourdes was among those who voiced their heartache, "This represents blood, sweat, and tears," lamented Lourdes in a statement to Local 10, "It tears my heart to see it go."
Despite the tangible loss of the crosswalk, the resolve of the Miami Beach LGBTQ+ community remains undeterred. Lourdes concluded with a sentiment of defiance and remembrance: "They might take this away, but they didn't take the love and memories we've built here," as noted by Local 10.
