St. Petersburg, FL – Hundreds gathered in St. Petersburg Saturday to create art and demonstrate solidarity around the city’s recently repainted rainbow crosswalk, a vibrant symbol now facing potential removal amid heightened political debate. The rally drew families, LGBTQ+ advocates, and allies who expressed both joy in community and concern over escalating legislative actions targeting the LGBTQ+ community in Florida and nationwide.The demonstration unfolded as Beth VanMiddlesworth, 47, painted alongside her children, ages 12 and 21, tears welling in her eyes. VanMiddlesworth, who recently began publicly identifying as bisexual, spoke of the bittersweet experience of feeling included while concurrently facing a political climate increasingly opposed to her identity. The rainbow crosswalk, initially painted in 2015 and repainted in June 2023, has become a focal point in a broader struggle over LGBTQ+ visibility and rights, particularly as Florida lawmakers advance bills restricting discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity in schools and public spaces. Its future is now uncertain following complaints and calls for its removal from some conservative groups.
“It is absolutely marvelous to come out here and just exist with a bunch of other people and make art that they’re trying to take away from us,” said Samuel VanMiddlesworth, 21, son of Beth VanMiddlesworth. “They can’t take it away from us – because we will just keep making more.”
The event underscored a growing determination among LGBTQ+ advocates to resist legislative efforts perceived as discriminatory and to visibly assert their presence in public life. organizers emphasized the importance of creating safe spaces and fostering a sense of belonging, particularly for young people navigating a challenging political landscape.
