Gov. Greg Abbott’s order to remove the rainbow-painted crosswalks in Houston’s Montrose neighborhood was carried out late Monday night.
Houston’s METRO crews painted over the colorful crosswalks at the intersection of Westheimer Road and Taft Street.
The directive to remove the rainbows cited federal safety concerns, describing the non-standard colors as potentially distracting to drivers and in violation of uniform traffic control regulations set by the Federal Highway Administration.
However, Abbott also focused on the fight against using taxpayers’ dollars to push any political messaging.
“Under federal and state guidelines for roadway safety, non-standard surface markings, signage, and signals that do not directly support traffic control or safety are strictly prohibited, including the use of symbols, flags, or other markings conveying social, political, or ideological messages,” read Abbott’s directive dated October 8, 2025.
“Texans expect their taxpayer dollars to be used wisely, not advance political agendas on Texas roadways,” Abbott wrote. “Today, I directed the Texas Department of Transportation to ensure Texas counties and cities remove any and all political ideologies from our streets. To keep Texans moving safely and free from distraction, we must maintain a safe and consistent transportation network across Texas. Any city that refuses to comply with the federal road standards will face consequences including the withholding or denial of state and federal road funding and suspension of agreements with TxDOT.”
The crosswalks, originally painted onto the street in 2017 and recently restored by the city on October 1, had become somewhat of a symbol of Montrose’s historic past as a hub for Houston’s gay community.
Crews began the removal process around midnight on October 20, as directed by the state deadline. Houston police arrested four protesters that night who attempted to block the roadway, charging them with obstruction to maintain public order during the operation, according to Click2Houston.
In response to the removal, some residents in the nearby Heights neighborhood drew chalk rainbow designs on their sidewalks and streets, per The Houston Chronicle. Local LGBTQ advocacy groups have also voiced their strong opposition to Abbott’s order.
The Montrose Center released a statement online saying, “This crosswalk holds profound meaning for our community. Installed in 2017, it was Texas’ first Pride crosswalk and was created in memory of Alex Hill, a 21-year-old community member who tragically lost his life in a hit-and-run incident in 2016 near that intersection. The crosswalk was funded by the Montrose Center and Pride Houston 365….”
“A broad coalition of Houston LGBTQ+ community organizations expresses deep concern and sadness following the recent directive from Governor Greg Abbott ordering the removal of rainbow crosswalks across Texas,” the Montrose Center added.
Abbott’s office has not issued any further comments on the rainbow removals in Houston as of the time of publication.