OFFICIAL STATEMENT

LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce Foundation

Dallas, Texas

March 23, 2026

The City of Dallas' removal of the rainbow crosswalks along Cedar Springs is not occurring in isolation—it reflects a broader political and regulatory climate that is increasingly targeting public expressions of support for the LGBTQ+ community across our state.

Recent federal guidance and state-level directives have created a framework in which communities are being forced to choose between representation and resources—between visibility and compliance.

The rainbow crosswalks, first installed in 2020, were not funded by government dollars, but by the community itself. In December 2019, the LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce Foundation raised and contributed more than $128,000 to install ten crosswalks along Cedar Springs Road—an investment made by businesses, corporate partners, community organizations, and individuals who believed in the power of visibility and belonging.

These crosswalks were never simply decorative. They were a declaration—that this neighborhood welcomes all people, that LGBTQ+ individuals are an essential part of Dallas’ economic and cultural fabric, and that inclusion is not a political statement, but a community value.

Over the years, the Foundation has continued to invest in the crosswalks despite significant challenges, including material failures, ongoing repairs, and the need for reinstallation—again funded privately, with significant assistance from the Cedar Springs Merchants Association. That commitment reflects the resilience of a community that has never waited for permission to be visible.

“Let’s be clear—these crosswalks are being removed at a time when LGBTQ+ visibility is being challenged across Texas,” said Tony Vedda, President of the LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce Foundation. “While the City may point to resurfacing as the immediate cause, the broader reality is that state and federal pressures have made it increasingly difficult for cities to support expressions of inclusion. The business community stepped up to fund these crosswalks because representation matters—not just socially, but economically. Our district thrives because it is known as a place where people belong. That does not change because paint is removed from a street.”

The Foundation rejects the notion that expressions of inclusion are political or inappropriate for public spaces. On the contrary, they are essential markers of community identity and economic vitality.

We are disappointed—but we are not deterred.

The LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce Foundation will continue to work with Cedar Springs Merchants Association, Dallas LGBTQ Task Force, and partners across Dallas to identify new, visible, and compliant ways to celebrate this community. We will continue to advocate for policies that allow cities to reflect the people they serve, and we will continue to invest in the Cedar Springs corridor as a place of pride, opportunity, and belonging.

“The removal of a crosswalk does not erase a community. It does not erase our history, our contributions, or our future,” said Valerie Jackson, a small business owner and Chair of the LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce Foundation Board.

The Foundation wishes to thank the many donors, partners, and community members who made these crosswalks possible—and we remain committed to ensuring that their legacy endures in ways that cannot be removed at the whim of government.