San Antonio likely to seek exemption from governor's order on rainbow crosswalks

San Antonio is considering its response to Governor Greg Abbott's order to remove rainbow crosswalks, which could jeopardize transportation funding for non-compliance. Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones confirmed that city officials are in discussions with the Texas Department of Transportation to fully understand the order's impact. Councilwoman Sukh Kaur, representing the district with the crosswalk, anticipates that the city will seek an exemption, citing that the crosswalk has not led to traffic accidents and has actually improved security in the area. Abbott's directive follows a push from former Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy for states to eliminate political messages from roadways. This initiative resonates with similar threats made by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis regarding LGBTQ+ symbols in public spaces.

The lack of a clear timeline for any changes to the Pride crosswalk leaves the community uncertain about its future. This situation underscores the ongoing conflict between political directives and local representation of LGBTQ+ rights. San Antonio's response could set a precedent for other cities facing similar pressures.