Houston community leaders push back against efforts to remove rainbow crosswalk in Montrose
Governor Greg Abbott has called the rainbow crosswalk "distracting," but local leaders say it's a symbol of pride and history.
Several community leaders in Houston are planning to hold a press conference Tuesday morning in response to Governor Greg Abbott’s recent order directing cities across Texas to remove rainbow crosswalks — including those in Houston’s Montrose neighborhood.
INITIAL REPORT: Abbott orders removal of Montrose rainbow crosswalks, calls it ‘distracting’, citing federal safety concerns
The group will gather at 10 a.m. at the intersection of Westheimer and Taft, where the colorful crosswalks have become a symbol of pride and inclusion for the LGBTQ+ community. Organizers say Abbott’s order is an “attack on local communities” and undermines decades of progress toward visibility and acceptance.
The governor’s directive followed a letter from U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy urging states to comply with the federal Safe Roads initiative. Abbott has threatened to withhold funding from cities that allow what he calls “political ideology” or “distractions” on roadways.
The Texas Department of Transportation supports the order, citing federal guidelines that require standardized traffic markings. But local leaders argue the rainbow design does not pose a safety risk — and carries cultural and historical significance.
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TXDOT’s own crash data shows only a handful of accidents at the intersection since the rainbow crosswalks were installed.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates from today’s press conference.
