San Antonio, TX, October 9, 2025
News Summary
Governor Greg Abbott has announced a directive to remove identity signs, including the rainbow crosswalk in San Antonio’s Pride Cultural Heritage District. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has been instructed to enforce roadway safety guidelines, requiring the removal of non-compliant installations within 30 days. Local officials express concern that this initiative may be politically motivated, aimed at erasing LGBTQ+ culture in Texas. The crosswalk, installed in 2018, symbolizes local cultural heritage. Community leaders and city officials plan to fight for its preservation amid potential funding consequences from TxDOT.
San Antonio — Governor Greg Abbott announced a push to remove identity signs from Texas roadways, targeting symbols that convey political or ideological messages. The directive specifically includes the removal of the rainbow crosswalk located in San Antonio’s Pride Cultural Heritage District and instructs the Texas Department of Transportation to enforce roadway safety guidelines strictly.
What officials ordered and why
The directive includes the removal of the rainbow crosswalk located in San Antonio’s Pride Cultural Heritage District. Abbott’s goal is to ensure Texans’ safety on the roads and to prevent political distractions. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) was instructed to enforce roadway safety guidelines strictly. TxDOT’s executive director stated that any non-compliant installations, such as the rainbow crosswalk on North Main Avenue, must be corrected within 30 days, or cities could face funding consequences. TxDOT’s order to remove the rainbow crosswalks aligns with federal and state guidelines stating that non-standard road markings are prohibited.
Immediate effects and enforcement
TxDOT has given cities and counties a 30-day deadline to comply or face penalties, including withheld state and federal funds and suspended agreements. Local officials in San Antonio have signaled opposition and said they will consider actions to preserve the crosswalks as representations of local cultural heritage. Local council members in San Antonio, including Dr. Sukh Kaur and Jalen McKee-Rodriguez, expressed their intent to fight to keep the rainbow crosswalks as representations of cultural heritage.
Local response
Local officials expressed concerns that the initiative is politically motivated rather than focused on public safety. James Poindexter, the Secretary of Pride San Antonio, stated that the directive aims to erase LGBTQ+ culture and history in Texas. John Barker, a business owner in the Pride district, criticized the move as divisive and unnecessary. Critics of Abbott’s directive argue that it is a political stunt distracting from pressing issues facing Texans, such as healthcare and inflation.
Context and related actions elsewhere
The rainbow crosswalk was first installed in 2018, following a unanimous city council vote and an official dedication during Pride Month in June. Similar initiatives have been observed in Florida, where Governor Ron DeSantis has threatened funding withdrawals for municipalities that do not comply with the removal of pride-related crosswalks.
Potential consequences for municipalities
Officials were advised that failure to remove non-compliant installations could lead to the withholding of state and federal funds and suspension of agreements between TxDOT and local governments. The stated enforcement mechanism is intended to motivate compliance with roadway marking standards as interpreted by state transportation authorities.
Next steps and likely outcomes
Cities and counties have been given a 30-day correction window for non-compliant installations. Local elected leaders and community groups in San Antonio are expected to explore legal and political options. The situation may evolve with administrative actions, local resistance, and potential litigation, while related measures elsewhere will likely influence local decisions and broader policy debates.
FAQ
What did Governor Greg Abbott order?
Governor Greg Abbott announced a push to remove identity signs from Texas roadways, targeting symbols that convey political or ideological messages.
Does the directive affect the rainbow crosswalk in San Antonio?
The directive includes the removal of the rainbow crosswalk located in San Antonio’s Pride Cultural Heritage District.
What reason was given for the directive?
Abbott’s goal is to ensure Texans’ safety on the roads and to prevent political distractions.
Which agency was instructed to enforce this directive?
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) was instructed to enforce roadway safety guidelines strictly.
What timeline did TxDOT provide for compliance?
TxDOT’s executive director stated that any non-compliant installations, such as the rainbow crosswalk on North Main Avenue, must be corrected within 30 days, or cities could face funding consequences.
How did local officials respond?
Local officials expressed concerns that the initiative is politically motivated rather than focused on public safety.
What did community leaders say about the directive?
James Poindexter, the Secretary of Pride San Antonio, stated that the directive aims to erase LGBTQ+ culture and history in Texas.
What did local business owners say?
John Barker, a business owner in the Pride district, criticized the move as divisive and unnecessary.
When was the rainbow crosswalk installed?
The rainbow crosswalk was first installed in 2018, following a unanimous city council vote and an official dedication during Pride Month in June.
How does this action relate to federal and state rules?
TxDOT’s order to remove the rainbow crosswalks aligns with federal and state guidelines stating that non-standard road markings are prohibited.
Are similar actions happening in other states?
Similar initiatives have been observed in Florida, where Governor Ron DeSantis has threatened funding withdrawals for municipalities that do not comply with the removal of pride-related crosswalks.
Did local council members in San Antonio respond?
Local council members in San Antonio, including Dr. Sukh Kaur and Jalen McKee-Rodriguez, expressed their intent to fight to keep the rainbow crosswalks as representations of cultural heritage.
What criticism has been raised about the directive?
Critics of Abbott’s directive argue that it is a political stunt distracting from pressing issues facing Texans, such as healthcare and inflation.
What penalties could municipalities face?
TxDOT has given cities and counties a 30-day deadline to comply or face penalties, including withheld state and federal funds and suspended agreements.
Key facts at a glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Order origin | Governor Greg Abbott announced a push to remove identity signs from Texas roadways, targeting symbols that convey political or ideological messages. |
| Targeted installation | The directive includes the removal of the rainbow crosswalk located in San Antonio’s Pride Cultural Heritage District. |
| Enforcement agency | The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) was instructed to enforce roadway safety guidelines strictly. |
| Compliance window | TxDOT’s executive director stated that any non-compliant installations must be corrected within 30 days, or cities could face funding consequences. |
| Local installation history | The rainbow crosswalk was first installed in 2018, following a unanimous city council vote and an official dedication during Pride Month in June. |
| Related actions | Similar initiatives have been observed in Florida, where Governor Ron DeSantis has threatened funding withdrawals for municipalities. |
Timeline
| Date / Time | Event | Status / Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | The rainbow crosswalk was first installed following a unanimous city council vote. | Installation recorded; local government action |
| June (2018) | Official dedication during Pride Month. | Dedication event |
| Recent | TxDOT issued an order requiring correction of non-compliant installations within 30 days or face funding consequences. | State enforcement directive |
Visual charts
Compliance deadline visualization
Potential enforcement actions (qualitative)
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
San Antonio Establishes Pride Cultural Heritage District
San Antonio Pauses Controversial Spray-On Street Repair Pilot
SUV Stuck in Road Buckle Caused by Water Main Break in San Antonio
Rainbow Crosswalk in San Antonio Restored After Water Main Break
Water Main Break Disrupts San Antonio’s Rainbow Crosswalk
Additional Resources
- News 4 San Antonio
- Wikipedia: Rainbow flag (LGBT movement)
- KENS 5
- Google Search: Greg Abbott rainbow crosswalks
- San Antonio Current
- Google Scholar: Greg Abbott and rainbow crosswalks
- Austin American-Statesman
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Greg Abbott
- ABC News 4
- Google News: Texan rainbow crosswalks
Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar 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 Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
