by Autumn Johnstone
In Lois Lowry’s 1993 book, “The Giver,” most of its characters relinquished their ability to see color. In favor of conformity and to eliminate conflict, their individualities were reduced to blank canvases. A repressed, dull, gray world that forgot how beautiful life can be beyond regulations and order.
Lowry’s book echoes back to us as we say goodbye to the rainbow crosswalks that paint Gainesville’s streets. On June 30, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) expressed safety concerns in a statement that said there are to be no “non-standard surface markings, signage, and signals that do not directly contribute to traffic safety or control.” As of August 25, most of Gainesville rainbow crosswalks have been removed.
But it was never about improving roadway safety.
If it was, many of the “non-standard surface markings” would still be here today. Many studies support the fact that uniquely-patterned crosswalks raise driver and pedestrian awareness. In the Asphalt Art Safety Study by Sam Schwartz and Bloomberg Philanthropies, they found a “25% decrease in pedestrian crossings involving a conflict with drivers.”
Gainesville’s transportation infrastructure is one of the most visible aspects of our city’s public realm. When students explore the town for the first time, they notice the sidewalks and roadways that guide our community members throughout their daily lives. The colors that makes up Gainesville, like many other cities, should not be reduced to black and white for “safety” reasons. If our government was concerned for our safety, our tax dollars would be going toward more prominent issues affecting the United States.
Across Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis has enforced the removal of non-standard crosswalks by stating that “state roads should not be hijacked for political purposes.” It’s clear being queer has become more of a political issue than it is an element of living.
The Trump Administration is pushing for uniformity in a country that has never been uniform, and it never will be. Throughout history, marginalized communities have been targeted and pushed to feel as if their voices don’t matter—that because their attributes don’t match the majority, they shouldn’t have them at all. Humans need to remain united by their differences, not divided because of them.
No city should have to silence the voices of their people simply because conformity may lead to less conflict. It’s about control, dominance and egocentricism. How far will President Trump go before he is comfortable calling himself a dictator? Clearly not very far, as he said, “The line is that I’m a dictator, but I stop crime,” in an August 26 cabinet meeting.
Conflict — as a human and as a queer individual — is inevitable. These crosswalks aren’t a catalyst for roadway accidents, but rather a catalyst for community and belonging. Even in a time like this where many queer people feel as if they are not like everyone else.
I recall the first time I stepped foot in Gainesville. I was downtown with a few of my friends when I came across the rainbow crosswalk that stretched across Northeast First Street and Northeast First Avenue. It felt exhilarating to be in a town that loudly valued the lives of queer people. That I could be myself, even for a few seconds, as I walked upon those vibrant little bricks without anyone passing a glance. It was the first time I could look down at the colors and allow myself to be visually happy after seeing them.
After the partial removal of Gainesville’s rainbow crosswalks, I wonder how many people this has enraged, or even worse, made them immune to the pain. These crosswalks have been a beautiful act of remembrance and pride for the LGBTQ+ community for many years.
In 2019, Gainesville first implemented the rainbow crosswalks with the help of the late LGBTQ+ activist Terry Fleming and the Pride Community Center of North Central Florida. Fleming passed away in April 2020 at age 58. He was an integral supporter of Gainesville’s LGBTQ+ community with a heart for truly helping others.
On Facebook, hundreds of community members speak their minds on the removal of the rainbow crosswalks.
“Every time they come with this bullsh*t, I see Terry Fleming standing in one of them with his arms raised and what this would do to his memory,” said Carolina Andrea.
“This is disrespectful of Gainesville and our citizens in so many ways. But for me, what I think of, is how much it dishonors the legacy of Terry Fleming,” Sandra Lambert wrote.
The FDOT is now targeting checkered crosswalks at Daytona Speedway as a means to cover their true target. After the colors and patterns are stripped away, you’ll need to ask yourself if it’s worth it to sacrifice your self-expression in favor of blind belief. Now is the time to show you care about the power of your own voice, not just one.