The City of Dallas’ Landmark Commission has unanimously approved the rainbow steps outside Oak Lawn United Methodist Church, allowing the art installation to remain in place for at least three years.
A large crowd spoke in favor of the steps during Wednesday’s meeting, with no public or commissioner opposition.
The church painted the steps as a show of solidarity with the LGBTQ community after Gov. Greg Abbott ordered the removal of rainbow crosswalks and other markings with political or ideological references. One of those crosswalks had been located at the corner where the church stands.
Oak Lawn United Methodist Church said its mission is to welcome all — a message now visible in the rainbow steps leading up to its entrance.
Church leaders said the installation is not an act of defiance, but one of faith.
“This is our way of speaking to our community of sharing a message of boldness and courage that who you are is beloved and worthy of dignity and belonging,” said Rev. Rachel Griffin-Allison, senior pastor of Oak Lawn United Methodist Church.
Because the church is a designated historic landmark, changes to the property — including paint color — require approval from the Landmark Commission.
One by one, speakers stepped forward to support keeping the rainbow steps.
“When I see the stairs, I see love, support, inclusion, and kindness. They bring a smile to my face and my heart,” one speaker said.
“Those steps are where I got married to my husband in 2017 because, for various reasons that we won’t go into, we weren’t allowed to have our same sex wedding inside our church. But we held it on those steps to show the world what it meant to be a welcoming place for all people,” another speaker said.
The Landmark Commission can make exceptions to the city code, which is what the church requested. Commissioners approved the request without opposition, allowing the rainbow steps art installation to remain for three years.