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—FDOT removed the crosswalk in October as part of a state crackdown on street art —
Miami Beach, FL – Less than six months since the Florida Department of Transportation’s overnight removal of the city’s LGBTQIA+ crosswalk at 12 Street and Ocean Drive, the City of Miami Beach is reassembling 3,606 colorful pavers steps away in Lummus Park for an unveiling on Friday, April 10 at 10 a.m.
“Ripping out a crosswalk that was emblematic of Miami Beach’s embrace of our LGBTQ+ residents and visitors, at what was literally the safest intersection of Ocean Drive, was a real slap in the face to our residents and visitors,” shared Miami Beach Commissioner Tanya K. Bhatt who led the initiative to reconstruct the crosswalk near its original location in Lummus Park. “It’s so important and gratifying to be able to rise above the manufactured culture wars to build something lasting, recognizing the struggle and celebrating the love that this new installation represents.”
The crosswalk project was announced ahead of the 18th annual Miami Beach Pride celebration and parade, which kicks off with a flag-raising ceremony outside Miami Beach City Hall on Tuesday, April 7 at 5:00 p.m. Local leaders will come together to raise the progress Pride flag as one of a number of visual representations of support for the LGBTQIA+ community.
After the flag-raising ceremony, the kickoff for Miami Beach Pride continues at the Euclid Oval (660 Lincoln Road) with music and dancing by the Spam Allstars at Pride On The Road from 6:30-9 p.m. Sponsored by the Lincoln Road Business Improvement District in partnership with Miami Beach Pride, the open-air event features complimentary light bites, a cash bar and an interactive paint-by-number experience produced by Four Folds with multidisciplinary illustrator Brett Olivieri.
“When the State forcibly removed this crosswalk, it was our straight allies on the Miami Beach City Commission who ensured our gay community would not be pushed into the shadows. Our allies understood that this crosswalk symbolizes a history of perseverance through the stigma of HIV/AIDS, the injustice of military exclusion, workplace and housing discrimination, and the long fight for the right to marry and to build a family,” said Miami Beach Commissioner Alex J. Fernandez, the only openly gay member of the Miami Beach City Commission, who sponsored the commemorative plaque accompanying the restored crosswalk to memorialize this history. “I am deeply grateful to my straight colleagues for their leadership in upholding the uncompromising values of love, compassion, and equality. It is a powerful reminder that our allies will help us overcome this moment.”
“After the crosswalk was removed, we came back stronger,” added Miami Beach Commissioner Joe Magazine who donated a commemorative bench that will be painted by community members to honor Miami Beach’s LGBTQ+ legacy. “This installation is Miami Beach’s answer to anyone who thought they could legislate away our community’s pride. As long as I serve this city, our LGBTQ+ residents and visitors will know they have an unwavering ally at the Commission table.”
“Special thanks to architect Adriana Savino, of SavinoMiller, who designed the original crosswalk, for donating her time to create this new installation,” added Commissioner Bhatt.
Pride continues with more special events, family-friendly activations, social mixers and world-class entertainment. Organizers estimate about 170,000 attendees will visit over the course of the 10-day festival, which culminates with the annual Miami Beach Pride Parade along Ocean Drive from 5 to 14 streets on Sunday, April 12 at noon.
The city flies the progress Pride flag year-round alongside the American flag outside Miami Beach City Hall. There is also a Pride lifeguard tower at 12 Street and the beachfront that features six vertical painted stripes to reflect the colors of the traditional Rainbow Flag.
For more information on Miami Beach Pride, visit www.miamibeachpride.com.
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