The rainbow-colored steps at Oak Lawn United Methodist Church are safe for the next three years.
Dallas’ Landmark Commission unanimously approved the church’s request to permit the stairs and banners at the church’s doorstep as the artwork is temporary, reversible and aligns with preservation standards.
The commission’s decision drew applause from dozens of church supporters at the City Hall hearing. They described the stairs as a symbol of solidarity and belongingness in a neighborhood at the center of the city’s LGBTQ community. No one spoke in opposition.
The steps were painted after Gov. Greg Abbott ordered cities to remove rainbow crosswalks and other symbols from public streets. Church leaders said the steps, on private property within a historic district, are a visible sign of welcome in the neighborhood, not a political statement.
Political Points
“When the state tries to erase us from the streets, the community will rise up on the steps,” said one of the speakers, Andrew di Benedeth.
Another, Seth Knieval, said, “We should allow that church to practice what it preaches and to carry on the legacy of the Christ they serve.”
Rachel Griffin-Allison, the church’s senior pastor, said the religious institution has been an active in the community for decades, “not as a museum, but as a living landmark.”
Because the church sits within a designated historic site, certain exterior changes fall under the Landmark Commission’s jurisdiction. The panel approved the church’s temporary art installation after city staffers said it would be temporary, removed after three years and primarily is an expression of community pride.
A separate task force had recommended denying the application, citing development code that didn’t allow painting structures with colors that didn’t match the building’s existing exterior.
Commissioner Rosemary Hinojosa said the artwork reflects the city’s inclusive character. “We should show our visitors the true diverse historic character or city,” she said.