The Florida Department of Transportation finally acknowledged late Thursday that it removed the rainbow crosswalk at Pulse nightclub — though the agency offered no explanation for why it acted in the middle of the night, with no warning to the city — and also informed Orlando that at least 18 more decorative crosswalks must go by Sept. 4.
Those include several new mural crosswalks added throughout downtown last year in hope of increasing visibility of crossings for pedestrians, as well as the Thornton Park swan-adorned crosswalk.
The Wednesday overnight removal at Pulse happened after FDOT reviewed all of its state roadways for areas not in compliance with its updated manual and began “correcting pavement markings not in compliance,” the agency said in a Thursday evening email to Orlando.
“That includes street art previously installed on state right of way, such as the intersection of Orange Avenue in question,” FDOT spokesman Michael Williams said in a separate, Thursday evening statement released to the media.
The removal of the rainbow crosswalk at Pulse, the site of a 2016 massacre that has become a significant memorial for the LGBTQ community, led to an outcry from Orlando officials and lawmakers. But despite pointed rhetoric about “political” rainbow crosswalks from U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy and Gov. Ron DeSantis, as well as a state ban on rainbow lights on bridges earlier this year, Williams said the state’s actions were purely procedural.
“Transportation infrastructure is for the movement of people and goods,” Williams said. “In this case, while the crosswalk has been restored to its proper form, local efforts are underway to construct a permanent memorial on adjacent properties funded by the State of Florida. Any attempt to suggest otherwise is false.”
A demonstrator has "rainbow tears" painted on her face during a protest at a crosswalk in front of the former Pulse nightclub in Orlando on Thursday, August 21, 2025. The crosswalk had been painted in rainbow-themed colors, but overnight Wednesday, the rainbow-colored paint was removed from the crosswalk by the Florida Department of Transportation in an ongoing effort to remove “political banners” from public roadways. This sparked outrage from the LGBTQ+ community. During Thursday’s protest, demonstrators “replaced” the rainbow colors on the crosswalk using chalk. The former Pulse gay nightclub is now a memorial site for the 49 victims who were murdered there in 2016. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel) Demonstrators wave flags and cheer during a protest at a crosswalk in front of the former Pulse nightclub in Orlando on Thursday, August 21, 2025. The crosswalk had been painted in rainbow-themed colors, but overnight Wednesday, the rainbow-colored paint was removed from the crosswalk by the Florida Department of Transportation in an ongoing effort to remove “political banners” from public roadways. This sparked outrage from the LGBTQ+ community. During Thursday’s protest, demonstrators “replaced” the rainbow colors on the crosswalk using chalk. The former Pulse gay nightclub is now a memorial site for the 49 victims who were murdered there in 2016. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel) Demonstrators wave flags and cheer during a protest at a crosswalk in front of the former Pulse nightclub in Orlando on Thursday, August 21, 2025. The crosswalk had been painted in rainbow-themed colors, but overnight Wednesday, the rainbow-colored paint was removed from the crosswalk by the Florida Department of Transportation in an ongoing effort to remove “political banners” from public roadways. This sparked outrage from the LGBTQ+ community. During Thursday’s protest, demonstrators “replaced” the rainbow colors on the crosswalk using chalk. The former Pulse gay nightclub is now a memorial site for the 49 victims who were murdered there in 2016. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel) Demonstrators wave flags and cheer during a protest at a crosswalk in front of the former Pulse nightclub in Orlando on Thursday, August 21, 2025. The crosswalk had been painted in rainbow-themed colors, but overnight Wednesday, the rainbow-colored paint was removed from the crosswalk by the Florida Department of Transportation in an ongoing effort to remove “political banners” from public roadways. This sparked outrage from the LGBTQ+ community. During Thursday’s protest, demonstrators “replaced” the rainbow colors on the crosswalk using chalk. The former Pulse gay nightclub is now a memorial site for the 49 victims who were murdered there in 2016. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel) Demonstrators use chalk to color the street during a protest at a crosswalk in front of the former Pulse nightclub in Orlando on Thursday, August 21, 2025. The crosswalk had been painted in rainbow-themed colors, but overnight Wednesday, the rainbow-colored paint was removed from the crosswalk by the Florida Department of Transportation in an ongoing effort to remove “political banners” from public roadways. This sparked outrage from the LGBTQ+ community. During Thursday’s protest, demonstrators “replaced” the rainbow colors on the crosswalk using chalk. The former Pulse gay nightclub is now a memorial site for the 49 victims who were murdered there in 2016. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel) Florida Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith speaks passionately during a protest at a crosswalk in front of the former Pulse nightclub in Orlando on Thursday, August 21, 2025. The crosswalk had been painted in rainbow-themed colors, but overnight Wednesday, the rainbow-colored paint was removed from the crosswalk by the Florida Department of Transportation in an ongoing effort to remove “political banners” from public roadways. This sparked outrage from the LGBTQ+ community. During Thursday’s protest, demonstrators “replaced” the rainbow colors on the crosswalk using chalk. The former Pulse gay nightclub is now a memorial site for the 49 victims who were murdered there in 2016. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel) Demonstrators hug during a protest at a crosswalk in front of the former Pulse nightclub in Orlando on Thursday, August 21, 2025. The crosswalk had been painted in rainbow-themed colors, but overnight Wednesday, the rainbow-colored paint was removed from the crosswalk by the Florida Department of Transportation in an ongoing effort to remove “political banners” from public roadways. This sparked outrage from the LGBTQ+ community. During Thursday’s protest, demonstrators “replaced” the rainbow colors on the crosswalk using chalk. The former Pulse gay nightclub is now a memorial site for the 49 victims who were murdered there in 2016. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel) Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan, left, smiles as she takes a selfie during a protest at a crosswalk in front of the former Pulse nightclub in Orlando on Thursday, August 21, 2025. The crosswalk had been painted in rainbow-themed colors, but overnight Wednesday, the rainbow-colored paint was removed from the crosswalk by the Florida Department of Transportation in an ongoing effort to remove “political banners” from public roadways. This sparked outrage from the LGBTQ+ community. During Thursday’s protest, demonstrators “replaced” the rainbow colors on the crosswalk using chalk. The former Pulse gay nightclub is now a memorial site for the 49 victims who were murdered there in 2016. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel) Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan smiles during a protest at a crosswalk in front of the former Pulse nightclub in Orlando on Thursday, August 21, 2025. The crosswalk had been painted in rainbow-themed colors, but overnight Wednesday, the rainbow-colored paint was removed from the crosswalk by the Florida Department of Transportation in an ongoing effort to remove “political banners” from public roadways. This sparked outrage from the LGBTQ+ community. During Thursday’s protest, demonstrators “replaced” the rainbow colors on the crosswalk using chalk. The former Pulse gay nightclub is now a memorial site for the 49 victims who were murdered there in 2016. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel) Demonstrators wave flags and cheer during a protest at a crosswalk in front of the former Pulse nightclub in Orlando on Thursday, August 21, 2025. The crosswalk had been painted in rainbow-themed colors, but overnight Wednesday, the rainbow-colored paint was removed from the crosswalk by the Florida Department of Transportation in an ongoing effort to remove “political banners” from public roadways. This sparked outrage from the LGBTQ+ community. During Thursday’s protest, demonstrators “replaced” the rainbow colors on the crosswalk using chalk. The former Pulse gay nightclub is now a memorial site for the 49 victims who were murdered there in 2016. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel) A demonstrator uses chalk to write a message on the street during a protest at a crosswalk in front of the former Pulse nightclub in Orlando on Thursday, August 21, 2025. The crosswalk had been painted in rainbow-themed colors, but overnight Wednesday, the rainbow-colored paint was removed from the crosswalk by the Florida Department of Transportation in an ongoing effort to remove “political banners” from public roadways. This sparked outrage from the LGBTQ+ community. During Thursday’s protest, demonstrators “replaced” the rainbow colors on the crosswalk using chalk. The former Pulse gay nightclub is now a memorial site for the 49 victims who were murdered there in 2016. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel) Demonstrators shout at passing traffic during a protest at a crosswalk in front of the former Pulse nightclub in Orlando on Thursday, August 21, 2025. The crosswalk had been painted in rainbow-themed colors, but overnight Wednesday, the rainbow-colored paint was removed from the crosswalk by the Florida Department of Transportation in an ongoing effort to remove “political banners” from public roadways. This sparked outrage from the LGBTQ+ community. During Thursday’s protest, demonstrators “replaced” the rainbow colors on the crosswalk using chalk. The former Pulse gay nightclub is now a memorial site for the 49 victims who were murdered there in 2016. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel) A young child holds a sign during a protest at a crosswalk in front of the former Pulse nightclub in Orlando on Thursday, August 21, 2025. The crosswalk had been painted in rainbow-themed colors, but overnight Wednesday, the rainbow-colored paint was removed from the crosswalk by the Florida Department of Transportation in an ongoing effort to remove “political banners” from public roadways. This sparked outrage from the LGBTQ+ community. During Thursday’s protest, demonstrators “replaced” the rainbow colors on the crosswalk using chalk. The former Pulse gay nightclub is now a memorial site for the 49 victims who were murdered there in 2016. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel) Demonstrators wave flags and cheer during a protest at a crosswalk in front of the former Pulse nightclub in Orlando on Thursday, August 21, 2025. The crosswalk had been painted in rainbow-themed colors, but overnight Wednesday, the rainbow-colored paint was removed from the crosswalk by the Florida Department of Transportation in an ongoing effort to remove “political banners” from public roadways. This sparked outrage from the LGBTQ+ community. During Thursday’s protest, demonstrators “replaced” the rainbow colors on the crosswalk using chalk. The former Pulse gay nightclub is now a memorial site for the 49 victims who were murdered there in 2016. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel) Demonstrators wave flags and cheer during a protest at a crosswalk in front of the former Pulse nightclub in Orlando on Thursday, August 21, 2025. The crosswalk had been painted in rainbow-themed colors, but overnight Wednesday, the rainbow-colored paint was removed from the crosswalk by the Florida Department of Transportation in an ongoing effort to remove “political banners” from public roadways. This sparked outrage from the LGBTQ+ community. During Thursday’s protest, demonstrators “replaced” the rainbow colors on the crosswalk using chalk. The former Pulse gay nightclub is now a memorial site for the 49 victims who were murdered there in 2016. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel) Florida Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith holds an umbrella during a protest at a crosswalk in front of the former Pulse nightclub in Orlando on Thursday, August 21, 2025. The crosswalk had been painted in rainbow-themed colors, but overnight Wednesday, the rainbow-colored paint was removed from the crosswalk by the Florida Department of Transportation in an ongoing effort to remove “political banners” from public roadways. This sparked outrage from the LGBTQ+ community. During Thursday’s protest, demonstrators “replaced” the rainbow colors on the crosswalk using chalk. The former Pulse gay nightclub is now a memorial site for the 49 victims who were murdered there in 2016. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel) Demonstrators wave flags and cheer during a protest at a crosswalk in front of the former Pulse nightclub in Orlando on Thursday, August 21, 2025. The crosswalk had been painted in rainbow-themed colors, but overnight Wednesday, the rainbow-colored paint was removed from the crosswalk by the Florida Department of Transportation in an ongoing effort to remove “political banners” from public roadways. This sparked outrage from the LGBTQ+ community. During Thursday’s protest, demonstrators “replaced” the rainbow colors on the crosswalk using chalk. The former Pulse gay nightclub is now a memorial site for the 49 victims who were murdered there in 2016. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel) A demonstrator uses colored chalk during a protest at a crosswalk in front of the former Pulse nightclub in Orlando on Thursday, August 21, 2025. The crosswalk had been painted in rainbow-themed colors, but overnight Wednesday, the rainbow-colored paint was removed from the crosswalk by the Florida Department of Transportation in an ongoing effort to remove “political banners” from public roadways. This sparked outrage from the LGBTQ+ community. During Thursday’s protest, demonstrators “replaced” the rainbow colors on the crosswalk using chalk. The former Pulse gay nightclub is now a memorial site for the 49 victims who were murdered there in 2016. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel) A demonstrator is pictured during a protest at a crosswalk in front of the former Pulse nightclub in Orlando on Thursday, August 21, 2025. The crosswalk had been painted in rainbow-themed colors, but overnight Wednesday, the rainbow-colored paint was removed from the crosswalk by the Florida Department of Transportation in an ongoing effort to remove “political banners” from public roadways. This sparked outrage from the LGBTQ+ community. During Thursday’s protest, demonstrators “replaced” the rainbow colors on the crosswalk using chalk. The former Pulse gay nightclub is now a memorial site for the 49 victims who were murdered there in 2016. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel) Demonstrators wave flags and cheer during a protest at a crosswalk in front of the former Pulse nightclub in Orlando on Thursday, August 21, 2025. The crosswalk had been painted in rainbow-themed colors, but overnight Wednesday, the rainbow-colored paint was removed from the crosswalk by the Florida Department of Transportation in an ongoing effort to remove “political banners” from public roadways. This sparked outrage from the LGBTQ+ community. During Thursday’s protest, demonstrators “replaced” the rainbow colors on the crosswalk using chalk. The former Pulse gay nightclub is now a memorial site for the 49 victims who were murdered there in 2016. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel) Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan shows her anger during a protest at a crosswalk in front of the former Pulse nightclub in Orlando on Thursday, August 21, 2025. The crosswalk had been painted in rainbow-themed colors, but overnight Wednesday, the rainbow-colored paint was removed from the crosswalk by the Florida Department of Transportation in an ongoing effort to remove “political banners” from public roadways. This sparked outrage from the LGBTQ+ community. During Thursday’s protest, demonstrators “replaced” the rainbow colors on the crosswalk using chalk. The former Pulse gay nightclub is now a memorial site for the 49 victims who were murdered there in 2016. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel) Demonstrators wave flags and cheer during a protest at a crosswalk in front of the former Pulse nightclub in Orlando on Thursday, August 21, 2025. The crosswalk had been painted in rainbow-themed colors, but overnight Wednesday, the rainbow-colored paint was removed from the crosswalk by the Florida Department of Transportation in an ongoing effort to remove “political banners” from public roadways. This sparked outrage from the LGBTQ+ community. During Thursday’s protest, demonstrators “replaced” the rainbow colors on the crosswalk using chalk. The former Pulse gay nightclub is now a memorial site for the 49 victims who were murdered there in 2016. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel) Demonstrators wave flags and cheer during a protest at a crosswalk in front of the former Pulse nightclub in Orlando on Thursday, August 21, 2025. The crosswalk had been painted in rainbow-themed colors, but overnight Wednesday, the rainbow-colored paint was removed from the crosswalk by the Florida Department of Transportation in an ongoing effort to remove “political banners” from public roadways. This sparked outrage from the LGBTQ+ community. During Thursday’s protest, demonstrators “replaced” the rainbow colors on the crosswalk using chalk. The former Pulse gay nightclub is now a memorial site for the 49 victims who were murdered there in 2016. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel) Florida Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith speaks during a protest at a crosswalk in front of the former Pulse nightclub in Orlando on Thursday, August 21, 2025. The crosswalk had been painted in rainbow-themed colors, but overnight Wednesday, the rainbow-colored paint was removed from the crosswalk by the Florida Department of Transportation in an ongoing effort to remove “political banners” from public roadways. This sparked outrage from the LGBTQ+ community. During Thursday’s protest, demonstrators “replaced” the rainbow colors on the crosswalk using chalk. The former Pulse gay nightclub is now a memorial site for the 49 victims who were murdered there in 2016. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel) Florida Rep. Anna Eskamani waves during a protest at a crosswalk in front of the former Pulse nightclub in Orlando on Thursday, August 21, 2025. The crosswalk had been painted in rainbow-themed colors, but overnight Wednesday, the rainbow-colored paint was removed from the crosswalk by the Florida Department of Transportation in an ongoing effort to remove “political banners” from public roadways. This sparked outrage from the LGBTQ+ community. During Thursday’s protest, demonstrators “replaced” the rainbow colors on the crosswalk using chalk. The former Pulse gay nightclub is now a memorial site for the 49 victims who were murdered there in 2016. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel) Show Caption1 of 26A demonstrator uses blue chalk to color the street during a protest at a crosswalk in front of the former Pulse nightclub in Orlando on Thursday, August 21, 2025. The crosswalk had been painted in rainbow-themed colors, but overnight Wednesday, the rainbow-colored paint was removed from the crosswalk by the Florida Department of Transportation in an ongoing effort to remove “political banners” from public roadways. This sparked outrage from the LGBTQ+ community. During Thursday’s protest, demonstrators “replaced” the rainbow colors on the crosswalk using chalk. The former Pulse gay nightclub is now a memorial site for the 49 victims who were murdered there in 2016. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)Expand
Meanwhile, on Friday the state ordered Fort Lauderdale to remove the section of a street near the beach painted in the colors of the LGBTQ+ progress pride flag, a location near what is widely known as the unofficial LGBTQ+ section of Fort Lauderdale beach.
The 100-plus people who gathered at Pulse Thursday evening, many dressed in rainbow colors and waving rainbow flags, largely did not buy the state’s official bureaucratic rationale for its actions.
“It’s infuriating, it’s cowardly, it’s shameful,” said David Mink, who said he was stunned when a friend told him the rainbow crosswalk had been removed.
Nicki Drumb and her wife, who had their first date at Pulse 20 years ago, said the rainbow’s removal made her feel nauseous. “I just wanted everyone to see that this is important,” she said.
Many in the crowd used chalk on the crosswalk, returning color to the intersection.
But as part of the state’s stance against “non-uniform traffic control devices, such as pavement markings on state and local roads,” an email received by a city administrator Thursday evening from District 5 Secretary John Tyler stated FDOT had identified more local colorful crosswalks and road markers that also needed to go.
“All of these have a specific purpose and were approved by FDOT,” said City Commissioner Patty Sheehan said Friday of the 18 targeted locations. “I think the point of it is to demoralize local governments because some of the most satisfying and wonderful things we get to do is beautification, and when you combine beautification and safety it’s very rewarding.”
Sheehan said she wasn’t sure if the city would appeal any of the crosswalks and markings – which include bicycle markers on Laureate Blvd in Lake Nona – noting the FDOT email seems to indicate any request for reconsideration would be fruitless.
“The Department has already reviewed the pavement markings at the location(s) mentioned above and determined that the pavement markings will not be allowed,” it reads.
It also notes the state would pursue withholding transportation funding if the city doesn’t comply, and would remove the markers themselves, while billing the city for the work. It also thanks the city for agreeing to remove them.
“We appreciate that we have been able to confirm with you that the City of Orlando has agreed to work expeditiously to remove the noncompliant pavement markings listed above. The Department appreciates your cooperation and commitments made to remedy the noncompliance,” it reads.
The city embraced painting murals on crosswalks in pedestrian-heavy areas like in downtown Orlando in recent years, citing studies showing the increased visibility helped prevent collisions between cars and humans.
For example, a Bloomberg Philanthropies study found a 50% dip in crash rates involving pedestrians and a 37% drop in crashes involving pedestrians at intersections that have asphalt art. Drivers also yielded to pedestrians 27% more often at such intersections, the group’s research showed.
The roadway battle kicked off earlier this summer when Secretary Duffy sent a letter to the nation’s governors alerting them to a safety plan to seek consistent markings across American roadways. He stated on X that rainbows were his target.
Soon after, Orlando received a notice from FDOT of updates to its own transportation manual, which “explicitly prohibits the application of pavement or surface art on travel lanes, paved shoulders, intersections, crosswalks or sidewalks.”
The conflict escalated much further Thursday morning when city officials discovered FDOT had painted over the rainbow crosswalk outside of Pulse overnight. The crosswalk at Esther Street is technically part of Orange Avenue, a state-operated road.
City officials also believe other intersections may have been painted over, such as new green markings along a bike trail at intersections along East Anderson Street. This was despite FDOT having just painted similar markings on a newly renovated portion of Conway Road between State Road 408 and Curry Ford Road.
Sheehan said the targeted crosswalks have been extremely popular.
“They have taken something that is overwhelmingly positive and supported by residents in our community and made it a problem,” she said. “There is no way they can point to any evidence that a painted crosswalk is unsafe — the evidence is to the contrary.”
The full list of crosswalks the state has targeted for removal is below:
S. Rosalind Ave at E. Jackson St – (Crosswalk)
Church St at S. Rosalind Ave – (Crosswalk)
Magnolia Ave at E. Concord St – (Crosswalk)
Orange Ave at Concord St – (Crosswalk)
N. Orange Ave at E. Central Blvd – (Paver intersection)
S. Orange Ave at E. Pine St – (Paver intersection)
S. Orange Ave at Church St – (Paver intersection
Summerlin Ave at Washington St – (Crosswalk)
Amelia St at N. Hughey Ave – (Crosswalk)
Amelia St at Ronald Blocker Ave – (Crosswalk)
Amelia St at Chatham Ave – (Crosswalk)
Amelia St at Putnam Ave – (Crosswalk)
Livingston St at N. Hughey Ave – (Crosswalk)
Central Blvd at N. Eola Dr – (Crosswalk)
W. Kaley Ave at S. Division Ave – (Crosswalk)
Corrine Dr at East End Ave – (Crosswalk)
Laureate Blvd at Benavente Ave – (Bike Symbol)
Laureate Blvd at Kellog Ave – (Bike Symbol)
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