Dallas Strips 30 Rainbow Crosswalks After Governor Abbott's Statewide Order

Texas Governor Orders Dallas to Strip 30 Rainbow Crosswalks From City Streets

The City of Dallas began removing 30 rainbow colored crosswalks on Monday, March 23, 2026, following a statewide directive from Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordering the elimination of all decorative, non standard pavement markings.

Crews with power washing equipment descended on the Oak Lawn neighborhood, historically known as Dallas's LGBTQ+ district, stripping the rainbow paint from Cedar Springs Road intersections by early afternoon. Black Lives Matter crosswalks in South Dallas and decorative designs in Uptown are also slated for removal under the same order.

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) determined the decorative markings violated the state's Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices standards, which require crosswalks to conform to uniform safety guidelines. The city submitted an exemption request, but TxDOT denied it on January 15, 2026, warning that Dallas could lose federal and state project funding if it failed to comply.

The rainbow crosswalks were not funded by taxpayers. The North Texas LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce Foundation raised over $128,000 in private donations in 2019 to install the first 10 crosswalks. The chamber raised an additional $45,000 and had the crosswalks repainted in 2025, just months before Abbott's October 2024 removal directive.

These crosswalks are being removed at a time when LGBT visibility is being challenged across Texas. The business community stepped up to fund these crosswalks because representation matters, not just socially, but economically.

Tony Vedda, President of the North Texas LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce Foundation, made the statement in response to the removal.

Dallas submitted a 90 day compliance plan on January 30, 2026. A city memorandum issued March 20 confirmed the removal schedule, with standard compliant crosswalk markings expected to be installed by April 28.

Oak Lawn United Methodist Church, which has rainbow painted steps on its property, retains those markings through 2029 as they are on private property and not subject to the state mandate.

Dallas Crews Power Wash Rainbow Paint From Oak Lawn Crosswalks Under State Mandate

The chamber also issued a statement calling the situation a forced choice, stating that cities are being forced to choose between representation and resources. All 30 crosswalks across the city are expected to be fully removed and replaced with standard markings by the end of April 2026.

The Crusader's Opinion

Let us be clear about something: the government has every right to enforce uniform traffic safety standards on public roads. That is not persecution. That is governance. The rainbow was God's covenant with Noah, a sign of His promise to all mankind, not a political emblem to be painted on asphalt. When we see outrage over the removal of painted crosswalks but silence over Christians being murdered in Nigeria every single week, we see where the world's priorities truly lie. A crosswalk is temporary paint. The Gospel is eternal. Focus accordingly.

Take Action

• Thank Governor Abbott: Contact the Office of the Texas Governor at (512) 463 2000 or visit gov.texas.gov/contact to express support for enforcing uniform traffic safety standards.
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