By Kamrin Baker in GoodGoodGood (thanks to Pam P.)
In October 2025, following pressure from United States Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered cities across the state to remove LGBTQ+ Pride crosswalks and other road markings that “advance political agendas” and “ideologies.”
Abbott cited safety concerns and violation of state and federal guidelines as reasons to invoke the measure, which required cities to comply within 30 days or risk losing transportation funding.
Most Texas cities complied quickly, though San Antonio and Austin attempted to receive exemptions from the removal, but both were unsuccessful, according to The Texas Tribune.
So, like other cities across the country, local officials in San Antonio have come up with a creative solution: Moving displays from roadway crosswalks to sidewalks instead.
In January, San Antonio road crews removed the original rainbow crosswalks, which sat at an intersection on North Main Avenue and Evergreen Street and had been in place since 2017.
But San Antonio District 1 City Council member Sukh Kaur helped propose a new sidewalk plan with the city’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Board, and it was painted on just a few days later.
“Though we’re sad to see the removal of the Rainbow Crosswalk, we’re excited to show y’all what’s coming next for Main Street,” Kaur wrote in a statement. “This design included input from the LGBTQ+ Advisory Board, which will help ensure that the Pride Cultural Heritage District is still a vital and inclusive space in our city.” (continued on Page 2 or here)