Florida city sets up rainbow bike racks after being forced to remove Pride crossings

A city in the US state of Florida has installed rainbow-coloured bike racks after it was forced to remove Pride crossings.

In recent months, several cities across the Sunshine state have been forced to paint over Pride crossings under directives issued by the Trump administration and Republican governor – and failed US presidential candidate – Ron DeSantis.

DeSantis, who is well-known for enacting anti-LGBT+ policies, signed a law in July which directed the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) “to ensure compliance with FDOT’s uniform system for traffic control devices”, with the state’s transport department stating: “Non-standard surface markings, signage, and signals that do not directly contribute to traffic safety or control can lead to distractions or misunderstandings, jeopardising both driver and pedestrian safety.”

This came after the US’s transport secretary Sean Duffy penned a letter to all 50 US states alongside DC and Puerto Rico in which he claimed rainbow crossings “distract” drivers, saying in a statement: “Roads are for safety, not political messages or artwork.”

This included the removal of a rainbow crossing in Miami Beach and the memorial rainbow crossing outside the site of Pulse nightclub in Orlando, where 49 people were killed in an anti-LGBT+ mass shooting in 2016, being painted over.

Locals have protested the erasure of the Pride crossings by re-colouring them using chalk, which has led to arrests.

In response, city of St Petersburg, located in the Tampa Bay area, has installed Pride-inspired bike racks, with the city’s mayor Ken Welch writing in a joint Instagram post with the city’s official account: “Pride on the streets! We’ve just installed 11 Pride-inspired bike racks along Central Ave and 25th St – a vibrant way to honour the Pride street murals that were removed earlier this year due to state requirements.”

The racks were funded through the City’s long-standing public bike rack programme.

This small gesture of inclusion and celebration will be a symbol of our resolve to not be silenced.

Monday, 22 December 2025 – 5.00pm – 7.00pm – Manchester Proud Chorus – Free (but booking required)

The Social, Aviva Studios, Water Street, Manchester M3 4JQ

Get festive at Aviva Studios with free live music from Manchester’s favourite choirs.

Founded in 2000, the Manchester Proud Chorus is one of the largest LGBT+ choirs in the UK, welcoming LGBT+ people and allies, young and old, to sing together. The chorus has performed nationally and internationally, taking part in Pride events in Greater Manchester and beyond.

Book here.

Saturday, 3 January 2026 – 12.00pm – 2.00pm – Digital Cafe – Free

LGBT Foundation, 72 Sackville Street, Manchester M1 3NJ

Meet new people, have fun and pick up new skills at the Manchester ‘Pride In Ageing’ over 50s social group.

This event is for LGBTQ+ people over the age of 50. If you have any further questions or access requirements, please email prideinageing@lgbt.foundation

Free, but booking required here.

Monday, 5 January – 7.00pm – Odeon Pride Nights – “The Bearded Mermaid” (1 hour 37 minutes) – £8.00 – £6.50 if booked online.

ODEON Cinema, Great Northern, 235 Deansgate, Manchester M3 4EN

Odeon Pride Nights are a community focused event, where they will be screening LGBTQI+ films.

The drag queens of the La Sirène à Barbe cabaret put on a grandiose show of song, circus and dance, the likes of which Dieppe has never seen before.

More info here.

Next Outings

Have a look at – https://outinthecity.org/next-outings/ – for future outings and meetings, Bridgewater Hall concerts and theatre trips. This page is updated on a regular basis.

If you wish to book a place on an outing, please contact us – https://outinthecity.org/contact-us/ . Some have a limited number of places and are available on a first come basis.