San Antonio’s rainbow crosswalk celebrates the LGBTQ+ history of the Main Strip. Credit: Sanford Nowlin
LGBTQ+ nonprofit Pride San Antonio on Tuesday said it will take its fight to protect the rainbow crosswalk at North Main and Evergreen streets to court unless the city ramps up efforts to save the landmark.
“We hope to move forward with the city, standing together in purpose and principle,” Pride San Antonio’s board said in a letter to city officials. “But, should the city choose not to act, we will pursue our cause in the courts, seeking remedy from the branch of government still committed to the rule of law and the protection of our constitutional and civil rights.”
The crosswalk has graced the heavily trafficked intersection in the heart of San Antonio’s LGTBTQ+ nightlife district, the Main Strip, since 2018, when the city adopted a community crosswalk program by ordinance.
However, rainbow crosswalks came under statewide attack in October when Republican Gov. Greg Abbott directed the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to oversee removal of all “political ideologies” from public roadways.
Houston has already removed its rainbow crosswalk from the Montrose neighborhood, while Austin city officials said they’re moving to comply with Abbott’s orders.
During a rally at the San Antonio’s crosswalk in late October, Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones — the first openly queer person to serve in the office — said a fight with the state over Abbott’s directive isn’t in the public’s best interest.
“It’s not just about me and what’s going to make me feel good,” Jones said. “I have to think about everybody in our community and what this could mean for them: retribution,” she said. “I don’t have to tell you this. We don’t live in California, we don’t live in Illinois, we live in Texas, and I have an obligation to think of everybody in our community in mind.”
Even so, some attending the event, including Pride San Antonio secretary James Poindexter, took issue with the mayor’s statement.
“I think the city should be standing up and fighting because nothing that the governor is doing is legal,” Poindexter told KSAT at the time. “This is beatable.”
Despite Jones’ reservations about going toe-to-toe with Abbott, San Antonio Assistant City Manager John Peterek filed an exemption request with TxDOT earlier this month, citing data showing that the rainbow-colored crosswalk has improved pedestrian safety.
That exemption request remains under review by TxDOT.
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