Houston Mayor John Whitmire recently spoke out against the planned removal of rainbow crosswalks in the Montrose area, characterizing the issue as “manufactured” and stating it was instigated by both the federal government and Texas Governor Greg Abbott.
During a Houston City Council meeting on Wednesday, Whitmire expressed his concerns about the crosswalks, which were installed in 2017 to honor the city’s LGBTQ+ community. He criticized Governor Abbott’s involvement, suggesting that the governor’s ambitions related to the presidential race prompted unnecessary action on the matter.
“This was a manmade issue,” Whitmire asserted, emphasizing that the crosswalk stripes have existed without incident for the last eight years during Abbott’s administration.
The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) confirmed the planned removal of the rainbow crosswalks, following a directive issued by Abbott. This situation has contributed to public frustration, especially after Whitmire faced criticism from some for not addressing the issue sooner.
City Council member Abbie Kamin, who recently held a news conference, acknowledged Whitmire’s remarks during the meeting and praised his willingness to confront the controversy. Kamin expressed concern about the implications of Abbott’s directive. “I understand the position that the city is being put in, but if we do not do something now, what will they threaten us with next?” she stated.
Kamin suggested exploring legal avenues or possibly designating the Montrose area as a historical heritage district. This designation could help protect significant elements, including the rainbow crosswalks. The area is notable for its cultural history and contributions to the LGBTQ+ community.
Whitmire, however, warned that pursuing such challenges could provoke political retaliation. He stated, “That’s a battle we would lose,” highlighting Abbott’s authority to veto funding for Houston. “We can do what we want to. Abbott has a veto, a line-item veto. So everything we were successful in getting this year and plan to get in the future would be in jeopardy.”
He reiterated his commitment to supporting LGBTQ+ symbols, indicating that the proposed actions could endanger critical funding for city projects.
The rainbow crosswalks, which were recently repainted after temporary removal for construction, had caught the attention of conservative groups, including Abbott. Following the governor’s directive, METRO announced it would comply with the order to remove the crosswalks. Whitmire revealed that he had received calls from state officials warning of potential federal funding consequences if the crosswalks were not removed.
“I got a call from a highway commissioner last week saying not Abbott but the Secretary of Transportation [Sean Duffy] had notified transport that if we didn’t remove the rainbow crosswalks that we would lose our federal funding,” Whitmire explained. He also noted that METRO expects to receive over a billion dollars in the next five years and is currently involved in several ongoing projects.
In response to the situation, a protest is scheduled for Sunday at the rainbow crosswalks to express opposition to their removal. Additionally, Kamin encouraged community members to attend a Families with Pride event at Discovery Green on Saturday.
A METRO spokesperson later indicated that there is currently no established timeline for the removal of the rainbow crosswalks.
image source from：houstonpublicmedia
