Ron DeSantis has ordered the rainbow crosswalk outside the former Pulse nightclub to be painted over.

In August 2025, crews from the Florida Department of Transportation painted over the rainbow-colored crosswalk located outside the former Pulse nightclub in Orlando. The memorial crosswalk, which had been installed with state approval in 2017 to honor victims of the 2016 mass shooting, was covered with black pavement paint following directives from the state administration.apnews.comapnews.comFlorida Lgbtq Pulse Nightclub Desantis 329ebed5d628400afb066d2772c3855aThe Action: In the overnight hours of August 21, 2025, crews from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) painted over the rainbow crosswalk with black pavement paint The crosswalk had originally been installed in 2017 with state...

The Guardian reported that the action was part of a broader state-level effort by the administration of Governor Ron DeSantis to remove rainbow-themed street art and non-standard markings from public roadways.theguardian.comtheguardian.comFlorida crosswalk wars take DeSantis’s ‘war on woke’ to street levelIn August 2025, the administration of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis ordered and executed the removal of the rainbow-colored crosswalk outside the former Pulse nightclub in Orlando The crosswalk had originally been installed in 2017 with... Associated Press coverage noted that the state justified the removal by pointing to directives aimed at clearing public streets of ideological displays and distractions, aligning with federal transportation guidance.apnews.comapnews.comFlorida Lgbtq Rainbow Crosswalks Desantis 58b22e99150bc89f91362e0bd99aa52aThe Justification: The state's action followed directives from both the federal level (under a push led by the U.S. Department of Transportation to clear public roadways of non-standard "political" or ideological art and distractions) and...

Governor DeSantis defended the decision publicly, stating that state roads should not be used for political displays. The move drew criticism and pushback from local officials, including Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and various LGBTQ advocacy groups.newsweek.comnewsweek.comFlorida Locals Ron Desantis Pulse Rainbow CrosswalkGovernor DeSantis defended the move, stating on social media and in press conferences that "we will not allow our state roads to be commandeered for political purposes" Local and Public Backlash: Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, local lawmakers,...