A brand new state transportation legislation might drive town of Key West to take away its rainbow crosswalk on the downtown intersection of Duval and Petronia streets — or lose entry to state funding.
Citing the necessity for “uniform alerts and site visitors gadgets” to make sure driver and pedestrian security, the transportation legislation that went into impact on June 30 requires that every one indicators and pavement markings adjust to the Florida Division of Transportation Design Handbook.
That handbook “explicitly prohibits the appliance of pavement or floor artwork on journey lanes, paved shoulders, intersections, crosswalks or sidewalks,” in response to a June 30 memo issued by the FDOT.
“Examples of non-compliant floor pavement would come with any pavement markings that don’t meet the colour, form, or dimensions offered in (state tips), together with parts equivalent to bicycle symbols, crosswalk markings or different pavement floor artwork that’s related to social, political or ideological messages or photographs and doesn’t serve the aim of site visitors management,” the memo states.
Whereas FDOT officers declare security considerations as the premise for the directive, others say it targets the LGBT group, restricts dwelling rule and cities’ rights to control themselves and improperly threatens to withhold state funding from any metropolis that refuses to conform.
“Any recognized non-compliant site visitors management gadgets or pavement markings presently put in on Florida public roads are to be instantly remedied, i.e., eliminated, modified or changed as required for conformity ….. failure to take away non-compliant site visitors management gadgets or pavement markings shall be trigger for withholding of state funds,” the memo states.
Key West Mayor Dee Dee Henriquez instructed the Keys Weekly on Friday night time, July 18, that town and its leaders had acquired a duplicate of the FDOT directive in regards to the new guidelines late that afternoon. Metropolis supervisor Brian L. Barroso had emailed it to the mayor and commissioners to make sure they have been conscious of the matter.
“Provided that we solely acquired this letter late this afternoon, I plan to talk with Barroso on Monday,”
Commissioner Monica Haskell doubted the precise security dangers of a colourful crosswalk and questioned the state’s willingness to insert itself into native authorities.
“I actually don’t suppose the rainbow crosswalks intervene with security for the touring public,” Haskell mentioned. “It’s ironic that the celebration in energy in Florida, which supposedly advocates for much less authorities, is never reluctant to overturn native rule.”
In response to the FDOT memo, Key West Commissioner Sam Kaufman emailed Barroso expressing his “deep concern over the potential compelled elimination of the rainbow crosswalks, that are a strong reflection of our metropolis’s dedication to range and inclusivity, and function a visible affirmation of our ‘One Human Household’ philosophy. The elimination of those crosswalks might ship a dangerous and deceptive message to our residents, guests and companies — significantly these in and supportive of our LGBTQ+ group — that our metropolis is now not a welcoming place for all.
“Key West’s rainbow crosswalk isn’t only a splash of coloration — it’s a mirrored image of our id, our historical past and our values. This metropolis has lengthy been a champion of inclusion and creativity, and that crosswalk is without doubt one of the some ways we honor these traditions. Efforts to manage or erase it from afar ignore a elementary precept: dwelling rule.”
“Florida is a state stuffed with vibrant, various cities — every with its personal heartbeat. We ought to be embracing that, not mandating uniformity. I respectfully oppose any state regulation that seeks to overwrite native voices with one-size-fits-all directives. Key West’s crosswalk displays our story — and that story deserves to be seen, not silenced.
“I would really like the Authorized Division to evaluate and advise on what authorized choices could also be obtainable to the Metropolis to problem or keep away from compliance with this directive…,” Kaufman wrote.
He later instructed the Keys Weekly in a textual content message, “I’ve requested workers to look into this so far as different cities. I’m very to know the way Miami Seashore and Wilton Manors are responding,” as these cities even have Delight-related crosswalks and different pavement markings.
“The (FDOT memo) is meant to point out no bias, however clearly the intent is discriminatory (towards the LGBT group),” Kaufman instructed the Keys Weekly.
Key West’s rainbow crosswalk was first put in in 2015 and shortly turned a well-liked landmark and selfie spot. The four-way crosswalk was refreshed in 2020 after roadwork compelled its momentary elimination.
As Kaufman talked about, Key West isn’t the one Florida metropolis with painted crosswalks and different avenue markings that at the moment are deemed non-compliant.
A Native 10 Information report from July 18 states that town of Boynton Seashore had already begun masking up its personal rainbow crosswalk, whereas the cities of West Palm Seashore and Wilton Manors are going through comparable stress to take away their satisfaction crosswalks.
Key West Commissioner Donie Lee, a homosexual man who beforehand spent greater than 20 years as a Key West police officer, then 10 years as police chief, didn’t reply to a request for remark early Friday night.