Florida Removes Rainbow Pulse Memorial Crosswalk in Orlando Amid Backlash

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) painted over the rainbow crosswalk outside the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, a memorial honoring the 49 victims of the 2016 mass shooting, sparking outrage from community members and local leaders. Initially approved and compliant with safety standards, the colorful crosswalk was removed overnight without prior notice, leading to accusations that the removal was a politically motivated act against diversity and LGBTQ+ visibility. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and State Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith condemned the erasure as a cruel and callous gesture, while survivors and advocates expressed deep emotional distress. The removal followed a recent FDOT directive, backed by the Trump administration's Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, prohibiting surface art on crosswalks to maintain consistent roadway markings, which critics argue is a guise to erase LGBTQ+ representation. Despite the removal, community members quickly responded by recoloring the crosswalk with chalk and repainting it, signaling resilience and continued commitment to honoring the victims. FDOT has not provided a public comment on the matter, intensifying tensions over the state's handling of the memorial.