While most people don’t see anything wrong with rainbows, some individuals strongly oppose these colorful symbols. The Mayor of Salisbury, Maryland, Randy Taylor, appears to share that sentiment. He recently proposed replacing the city’s rainbow crosswalks with new public art as part of a broader initiative to create an “Arts Corner.” Taylor asserts that the decision is motivated by a desire to make the crosswalk artwork more representative and inclusive. However, many people disagree. The rainbow crosswalks, installed and maintained by volunteers since 2017, have long represented inclusivity and support for the LGBTQ+ community. Salisbury PFLAG argues that the existing designs should remain in place.
Taylor’s proposal to replace the rainbow crosswalks with something more “acceptable” reflects his stance on avoiding what he calls “singular political issues.” According to the mayor, the Crosswalk Canvas project is meant to celebrate Salisbury’s history and creativity. In a Facebook post, the city emphasized its intention to keep the artwork neutral, steering clear of any political or ideological messaging.
However, some still see the mayor’s action as an attempt to erase LGBTQ+ representation from Maryland public spaces. PFLAG Executive Director Mark DeLancey expressed strong opposition to the proposal, stating that the organization is prepared to consult lawyers and review state and federal regulations to prevent it from moving forward.
DeLancey emphasized that the crosswalks have never cost taxpayers any money. Their installation and maintenance have been entirely funded through fundraising and sponsorships tied to the event. Unwilling to see their goodwill disregarded, DeLancey and PFLAG made it clear that they won’t back down and are determined to protect the crosswalks.
Many internet users also sided with DeLancey, questioning how rainbow crosswalks could be seen as anything other than inclusive. “How are rainbows not inclusive? I’m sorry, but as a straight person, I associate rainbows with rainbows. If you assume ‘gay’ from a rainbow, that’s on you. Waste of time, money, and energy,” one Redditor commented.
Others began coming up with a plan to join The Crosswalk Canvas initiative and submit rainbow-themed artwork as a form of protest. The idea was that if enough people submitted rainbow designs, the mayor would be forced to acknowledge the public’s resistance to his proposal. “Submit only rainbow designs. Or maybe a Black Lives Matter plaza-type design,” one user suggested.
Some people started mocking Taylor for being overly sensitive about the rainbow. Others directly called out the idea that there’s anything neutral about wanting to erase LGBTQ+ representation. “I grew up in Maryland and now live in Florida, and I’m so f**king sick of this culture war bullsh**. Conservatives everywhere just can’t stand that there are other human beings on this planet,” one Redditor said.
