On Saturday morning, Miami Beach unveils its answer to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis‘ (R) officially sanctioned demolition in October, when, at the presidential administration’s order, he bulldozed and sledgehammered the city’s Pride crosswalk out of existence.
This weekend, one day before the oceanside resort’s annual Pride parade, Miami Beach rededicates the crosswalk, now relocated to Lummus Park and transformed to a sidewalk, just steps from its original location.
Related
Never Miss a Beat
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights.
The iconic crosswalk has been reassembled, brick by brick, in a defiant show of community resilience.
“To take what was considered an assault to some people, a tragedy to others — and definitely an affront to most of us — and turn it into a moment of strength and pride — what’s better than that?” asked Miami Beach Commissioner Tonya Katzoff Bhatt.
“We have Tallahassee spending its time manufacturing culture wars,” Bhatt told News 10 Miami. The crosswalk’s removal was the answer to a non-existent problem.
“It was empirically the safest intersection on Ocean Drive,” she said.
Bhatt called the removal “a real slap in the face to our residents and visitors.”
Bhatt’s colleague on the commission, out member Alex Fernandez, credited the community’s straight allies for helping right the rainbow crosswalk wrong.
“When the State forcibly removed this crosswalk, it was our straight allies on the Miami Beach City Commission who ensured our gay community would not be pushed into the shadows,” Fernandez told Out South Florida. “Our allies understood that this crosswalk symbolizes a history of perseverance through the stigma of HIV/AIDS, the injustice of military exclusion, workplace and housing discrimination, and the long fight for the right to marry and to build a family.”
“These crosswalks were a symbol of that progress, and when they come strip it away, it’s very clear message.” The reinstallation “is a powerful reminder that our allies will help us overcome this moment,” he said.
The new crosswalk — more art installation than pedestrian crossing — is built from 3,606 rainbow pavers salvaged from the original crosswalk. It’s scheduled for unveiling Saturday morning on the final weekend of Miami Beach Pride. The new installation bypasses the state’s ban on street art by being located entirely within a park.
“It’s so important and gratifying to be able to rise above the manufactured culture wars to build something lasting, recognizing the struggle and celebrating the love that this new installation represents,” Bhatt said.
“After the crosswalk was removed, we came back stronger,” said city Commissioner Joe Magazine. “This installation is Miami Beach’s answer to anyone who thought they could legislate away our community’s pride.”
Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.