Texas, October 10, 2025
News Summary
Governor Greg Abbott has directed the Texas Department of Transportation to remove rainbow crosswalks and other pride symbols from public roads, citing safety concerns and misuse of taxpayer funds. Cities must comply within 30 days, with threats of funding denial for noncompliance. The order aligns with federal guidelines that prohibit non-standard pavement markings. Advocates argue that many crosswalks were privately funded and meet safety standards. The directive may face legal challenges regarding its justification and political implications.
Austin, Texas — Governor Greg Abbott called for the removal of rainbow crosswalks and other pride symbols from public roads across Texas.
What happened
The governor directed the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to ensure all cities and counties remove any political ideologies from public transportation networks within 30 days, citing safety concerns and the use of taxpayer funds. Cities that fail to comply risk withholding or denial of state and federal road funding and suspension of agreements with TxDOT. Abbott stated that these symbols pose safety concerns and misuse taxpayer dollars. In a statement on Wednesday, Abbott emphasized that Texans expect their taxpayer dollars to be used wisely and not to advance political agendas.
Immediate consequences and responses
State transportation officials sent letters to local governments instructing them to review and remove non-standard pavement markings on public roads. A spokesperson for the City of Dallas confirmed receipt of TxDOT’s letter and stated that the city would review and evaluate the directive before updating the City Council. METRO (Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County) announced plans to re-stripe a rainbow crosswalk in Houston to comply with the governor’s order and maintain funding for transit projects.
Alignment with federal guidance
Abbott’s directive aligns with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s SAFE ROADS Initiative, which prohibits non-standard pavement markings unless they serve a direct traffic control or safety function. The initiative prohibits decorative crosswalks or markings unless they convey direct traffic-related messages. State officials point to that federal guidance in explaining the directive to local governments.
Views from advocates and legal observers
Advocates for pride symbols have said some installations were privately funded and developed to meet safety standards. Valerie Jackson from the North Texas LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce stated that the rainbow crosswalks in Dallas’ Oak Lawn neighborhood were funded entirely through private donations and community events. Jackson noted that organizers worked with TxDOT and the City of Dallas to meet state safety standards for the designs. Jacob Reyes from advocacy organizations GLAAD and Texas Latino Pride called the governor’s directive a distraction from more pressing issues, such as public education funding.
Legal experts say the directive could lead to legal challenges. Legal experts suggest that the state could face legal challenges similar to those seen in Florida regarding such policies. Constitutional law attorneys question the justification for the directive based on safety, suggesting that the concerns may not have been substantiated prior to the governor’s statement.
Local cultural and transit impacts
The rainbow crosswalks have become significant cultural symbols for Houston’s LGBTQ+ community since their installation in 2017. Local transit agencies and city officials are evaluating options to comply with the directive while minimizing impacts on ongoing projects and federal funding eligibility. Some communities that installed crosswalks through private fundraising say they coordinated with state and city transportation staff when planning the designs.
What the directive targets
Abbott’s directive does not specify which political ideologies will be targeted but appears to focus on rainbow and other similar crosswalks recently painted in prominent LGBTQ+ areas. State officials have framed the action as ensuring a consistent and safe transportation network and avoiding potential distractions to drivers and pedestrians.
Next steps
Cities and counties across Texas are reviewing the directive and surveying local pavement markings. TxDOT has been asked to follow up with municipal and county transportation departments about timelines and enforcement. Local leaders will decide whether to remove, cover, or re-stripe markings to conform with state direction and federal pavement guidance.
Background
Decorative crosswalks have been used in many U.S. cities as neighborhood or cultural markers. Federal guidance in the U.S. Department of Transportation’s SAFE ROADS Initiative restricts non-standard pavement markings that do not serve direct traffic control or safety functions. The current directive places state-level pressure on local governments in Texas to conform with that guidance within a set timeline and outlines funding consequences for noncompliance.
FAQ
What did Governor Greg Abbott call for?
Governor Greg Abbott called for the removal of rainbow crosswalks and other pride symbols from public roads across Texas.
Why did the governor say the symbols should be removed?
Abbott stated that these symbols pose safety concerns and misuse taxpayer dollars.
What did Abbott say about taxpayer dollars?
In a statement on Wednesday, Abbott emphasized that Texans expect their taxpayer dollars to be used wisely and not to advance political agendas.
What did the governor direct TxDOT to do?
He directed the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to ensure all cities and counties remove any political ideologies from public transportation networks within 30 days.
What are the consequences for cities that do not comply?
Cities that fail to comply risk withholding or denial of state and federal road funding and suspension of agreements with TxDOT.
How does this relate to federal guidance?
Abbott’s directive aligns with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s SAFE ROADS Initiative, which prohibits non-standard pavement markings unless they serve a direct traffic control or safety function.
Does the initiative allow decorative markings?
The initiative prohibits decorative crosswalks or markings unless they convey direct traffic-related messages.
Were any of the crosswalks privately funded?
Valerie Jackson from the North Texas LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce stated that the rainbow crosswalks in Dallas’ Oak Lawn neighborhood were funded entirely through private donations and community events.
Did organizers coordinate with officials for safety?
Jackson noted that organizers worked with TxDOT and the City of Dallas to meet state safety standards for the designs.
How have advocacy groups responded?
Jacob Reyes from advocacy organizations GLAAD and Texas Latino Pride called the governor’s directive a distraction from more pressing issues, such as public education funding.
What have local officials said about the directive?
A spokesperson for the City of Dallas confirmed receipt of TxDOT’s letter and stated that the city would review and evaluate the directive before updating the City Council.
Will transit agencies comply?
METRO (Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County) announced plans to re-stripe a rainbow crosswalk in Houston to comply with the governor’s order and maintain funding for transit projects.
What cultural significance do the crosswalks have?
The rainbow crosswalks have become significant cultural symbols for Houston’s LGBTQ+ community since their installation in 2017.
Does the directive specify exactly which ideologies are targeted?
Abbott’s directive does not specify which political ideologies will be targeted but appears to focus on rainbow and other similar crosswalks recently painted in prominent LGBTQ+ areas.
Could there be legal challenges?
Legal experts suggest that the state could face legal challenges similar to those seen in Florida regarding such policies.
Do legal experts agree with the safety justification?
Constitutional law attorneys question the justification for the directive based on safety, suggesting that the concerns may not have been substantiated prior to the governor’s statement.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Directive | Governor Greg Abbott called for the removal of rainbow crosswalks and other pride symbols from public roads across Texas. |
| State order to TxDOT | He directed the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to ensure all cities and counties remove any political ideologies from public transportation networks within 30 days. |
| Enforcement and funding risk | Cities that fail to comply risk withholding or denial of state and federal road funding and suspension of agreements with TxDOT. |
| Federal alignment | Abbott’s directive aligns with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s SAFE ROADS Initiative, which prohibits non-standard pavement markings unless they serve a direct traffic control or safety function. |
| Local funding example | Valerie Jackson from the North Texas LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce stated that the rainbow crosswalks in Dallas’ Oak Lawn neighborhood were funded entirely through private donations and community events. |
| Transit action | METRO (Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County) announced plans to re-stripe a rainbow crosswalk in Houston to comply with the governor’s order and maintain funding for transit projects. |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Houston Chronicle: Greg Abbott Calls for Removal of Rainbow Crosswalks
- Google Search: Texas Rainbow Crosswalks
- NBC DFW: Dallas Rainbow Crosswalks Removal
- Wikipedia: Political Symbols in the LGBT Community
- KHOU: Abbott Orders Removal of Rainbow Crosswalks in Texas
- Google Scholar: Abbott Directive Rainbow Crosswalks
- FOX 4 News: Community Reacts to Abbott’s Threat Against Rainbow Crosswalks
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Texas Politics
- News 4 San Antonio: No More Rainbow Crosswalks in Texas
- Google News: Greg Abbott
Author: STAFF HERE DALLAS WRITER
DALLAS STAFF WRITER The DALLAS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREDallas.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Dallas, Dallas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the State Fair of Texas, Deep Ellum Arts Festival, and Dallas International Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Dallas Regional Chamber and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, plus leading businesses in telecommunications, aviation, and semiconductors that power the local economy such as AT&T, Southwest Airlines, and Texas Instruments. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
