St. Petersburg Responds to Removal of Pride Murals with New Bike Racks

In August 2023, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued an executive order mandating the removal of approximately 400 pieces of street art, primarily targeting rainbow and Pride-themed murals and crosswalks. This initiative was initiated following the painting over of a rainbow crosswalk outside the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, a site of a tragic mass shooting in 2016. The Florida Department of Transportation enforced this order, threatening to withhold state funding for road projects from municipalities that did not comply.

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Despite public disapproval, the City of St. Petersburg complied with the removal order, which included five murals that celebrated LGBTQ+ Pride and Black history. The city had previously received a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign's Municipal Equality Index, reflecting its commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion. In a social media post, St. Petersburg expressed that the murals represented the community's identity and urged residents to document the art with the hashtag #CantEraseStPete.

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In a move to honor the erased murals, St. Petersburg installed 11 Pride-inspired bike racks along Central Avenue and 25th Street. These bike racks, designed in the colors of the Progress Pride Flag, serve as a vibrant tribute to the lost street art. Mayor Ken Welch emphasized the importance of finding creative ways to celebrate the community's identity in light of the removals. The bike racks were funded through the city's public bike rack program and are seen as a step toward maintaining visibility for the LGBTQ+ community.

Florida PoliticsCity of St. Pete installs bike racks to honor removed Pride muralGood Good Good

Jordan Doyle Walsh, Chief of Staff to Mayor Welch, indicated that the bike rack installation is part of a broader response to the removal of street art. He noted that this initiative symbolizes the city's resolve to not be silenced. Community members have reacted positively to the bike racks, with many expressing pride in their city and support for the initiative.

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Equality Florida's Executive Director, Nadine Smith, criticized the removal of the murals, framing it as a "cowardly abuse of power" and part of a larger campaign against LGBTQ+ rights. Smith highlighted the community's resilience, stating that despite the state's actions, residents are responding with acts of defiance, such as chalking sidewalks and raising flags.

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While St. Petersburg complied with the removal mandate, other municipalities, including Fort Lauderdale, Key West, Orlando, Miami Beach, and West Palm Beach, have chosen to challenge the order through legal action and protests. This divergence in responses highlights the ongoing conflict between state directives and local community values.

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As St. Petersburg continues to explore ways to honor its LGBTQ+ community, the installation of the bike racks represents a small but significant act of resistance. The city plans to engage further with the community to develop additional initiatives that reflect its commitment to inclusion and diversity.

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