The City of San Antonio has been directed to remove its rainbow crosswalks, following the Texas Department of Transportation's (TxDOT) denial of the city's request to exempt the Pride District's colorful pedestrian stripes from a state order. According to a KSAT report, Governor Greg Abbott had mandated the purging of "any and all political ideologies" from Texas streets, which includes the queer-themed street markings located at the intersection of North Main Avenue and East Evergreen Street within the Pride Cultural Heritage District.
The city's exemption request, which had been filed on Nov. 5 by Assistant City Manager John Peterek, was deemed not "acceptable" by TxDOT. A letter from George Villarreal, Director of TxDOT’s Traffic Safety Division, instructed the city to either submit a revised exemption request that would demonstrate compliance or prepare a plan for the removal of the crosswalks. This stance reinforces U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy's initiative to keep roads free from distractions, and failing to obey could potentially jeopardize state or federal funding for San Antonio, as noted in a letter obtained by KSAT.
The decision of the state comes despite the city's argument that the rainbow crosswalks have made the intersection safer. Peterek mentioned a "demonstrable public safety benefit" and "overwhelming community benefit and support" in the city's exemption request, asserting the significance of the crosswalks to the Pride Cultural Heritage District. As reported by Express News, safety data showed that pedestrian injuries were less frequent at the intersection post-installation and when compared to a nearby intersection.
Despite these efforts, the city has resolved to follow through with the state's directive. San Antonio will "continue to support the LGBTQ+ community by installing rainbow-colored sidewalk treatments one block north and one block south of the intersection," as Brian Chasnoff, a spokesperson for the city, affirmed in a statement quoted by Express News. The city aims to remove and replace the painted crosswalks with standard markings by Jan. 15, 2026, trying to ensure compliance with state regulations while still paying homage to the Pride district's heritage and significance.
