San Antonio’s LGBT community and city officials celebrated the dedication of rainbow sidewalks along Main Avenue on Sunday, marking the conclusion of a months-long dispute over LGBTQ+ representation that began after the state ordered the removal of rainbow crosswalks installed in 2018.
District 1 Councilwoman Sukh Kaur, representing most of downtown and the Near Northside, said the process had been long but expressed pride in the result, framing it as a statement of local resilience: “You might be able to control the streets, but you can’t control our sidewalks.” She was joined by District 7 Councilwoman Marina Alderete Gavito and District 8 Councilwoman Ivalis Meza Gonzalez, while conservative council members District 9’s Misty Spears and District 10’s Marc Whyte opposed the $170,000 city-funded project.
Kaur emphasized that most council members remain strong advocates for the community, despite challenges, and highlighted the importance of visibility and support for LGBTQ+ residents.
Although Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones, the city’s first openly gay mayor, was not present for the ribbon-cutting, her office delivered a statement on her behalf. The new sidewalks stretch along Main Avenue from Laurel Avenue to Park Avenue, incorporating all six colors of the rainbow as well as symbols of the progress flag to represent transgender and nonbinary individuals.
Lynz Andrews, a local performer and director for LGBT policy and advocacy for State Rep. Josey Garcia, praised the inclusion of diverse identities in the design, saying it will help unite the community. Businesses along the avenue, including The Strip SA, which owns Sparky’s Pub, Knockout, Eagle SA, and The Heat, welcomed the project as a sign of growing municipal support for the LGBT community, with owners John Barker and Jerry Jimenez highlighting the city’s role in creating a safe, welcoming space for all.
The sidewalk installation began in January but was temporarily paused by a joint lawsuit from Pride San Antonio and the Texas Conservative Liberty Forum, which drew criticism from community members and calls for boycotts. Pride San Antonio board member James Poindexter clarified that the organization had not opposed the sidewalks themselves, but sought to prevent the removal of the crosswalks they helped fund. He emphasized that the project continues the work of maintaining visibility for the district and stressed the importance of remaining vigilant in the face of efforts to erase LGBTQ+ presence.
The sidewalks now serve as a visible symbol of resilience along Main Avenue, with plans for a future art installation potentially incorporating pieces of the removed crosswalks. Michael Rendon, chair of the city’s LGBTQIA+ Advisory Board, said the initiative will involve artists from the community to create a display that can be admired while preserving the legacy of the crosswalks, and invited interested parties to submit ideas to the advisory committee.
