By Adrienne Mazzone
As rainbow-painted intersections and public art installations are being removed across Florida, advocates say the actions represent more than just a change in street design- they signal a broader rollback of visibility and First Amendment rights.
Robert Kesten, President and CEO of leading LGBTQA+ history beacon Stonewall National Museum, Archives & Library in Fort Lauderdale, said the removals are part of a troubling trend.
“Yes, we are experiencing trying times here in Florida, in the United States, and in countries around the world,” Kesten said. “That is not unusual for our community. Yet, in other ways, this experience is very different from what we have experienced before.”
Kesten said the LGBTQA+ community has a long history of resilience, citing the fight for recognition during the AIDS crisis and the struggle for marriage equality among others.
“Our community’s collective history and muscle memory comes with a great many battle scars,” he said. “We are not novices when it comes to battle.”
He pointed to recent medical advancements, such as improved HIV/AIDS treatments, as examples of progress born from activism.
“When you know your history and celebrate your culture, you can never be erased. “Knowledge is power and history is vital to the future.”
The current state battle over rainbow crosswalks, he said, sends a clear message of exclusion, one comparable to past efforts to suppress LGBTQA+ visibility, including the campaigns led by Anita Bryant in the 1970s.
“These installations are more than art. They’re memorials, welcome signs, and indicators of safe spaces,” Kesten said. “Removing them tells marginalized people they are not welcome.”
“Had we understood the dangers of complacency, we would have remembered the words and deeds of Anita Bryant,” he said. “Every LGBTQA+ person should know that history, and how it has manifested in Florida once again.”
While legal protections for such installations vary, community mobilization remains key to combatting censorship and civil rights rollbacks. Local communities are responding with grassroots efforts, including art, protests and storytelling, with education playing a central role in preparing for a more inclusive future.
To those feeling disheartened, Kesten offered encouragement.
“Success doesn’t mean you can relax. It means you get to fight another day. Use your voice, your art, your presence. You are powerful. Every storm ends with a rainbow, and this one will be no different.”
Kesten added, “We envision a future where Pride Month celebrates the Queer Millennium — 1,000 years of LGBTQA+ culture. So let’s raise our voices; We are the world’s unifiers, and with your help, we can lead the way to a better future for all.”
Adrienne Mazzone, President of TransMedia Group, a PR and marketing leader, Film Executive Producer, and writer for International publications; Mauxa Magazine and DailyBloid, as well as South Florida Insider, Editor of DietarySupplementNews.com and freelancer for The Boca Raton Tribune.
