In a bold act of defiance against an order from Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a church in Dallas is sending a clear message of LGBTQ+ solidarity — by turning its front steps into a vibrant rainbow.
Oak Lawn United Methodist Church (OLUMC) has responded to the controversial directive — which demands cities remove “decorative crosswalks, murals, or markings conveying artwork or other messages” or risk losing state funding — by launching its own colourful protest.
Instead of rainbow crossings on the streets, the church is painting its own front steps in Pride colours.
“Silence is not neutral — silence in the face of harm always sides with the oppressor,” said Senior Pastor Rachel Griffin-Allison, in a statement shared via Dallas Voice.
“Painting our steps in the colours of the rainbow is a visible witness to the gospel we preach: that every person is created in the image of God and worthy of safety, dignity, and belonging.”
Rainbow Resistance
Governor Abbott issued the order on 8 October, stating:
“Texans expect their taxpayer dollars to be used wisely, not advance political agendas on Texas roadways. Today, I directed the Texas Department of Transportation to ensure Texas counties and cities remove any and all political ideologies from our streets.”
But OLUMC has taken a different approach — using its own property to show love and resistance in equal measure. The painting of the steps, led by Robert Garcia Sr, began on 21 October and is expected to take around two weeks to complete.
An artist’s rendering of the finished steps shows a striking entrance to the church, with each stair representing a different colour of the Pride flag — a symbol of inclusivity that cannot be paved over.
A Statement of Solidarity
Church leadership hopes the initiative will serve as a beacon of hope for the LGBTQ+ community in Texas and beyond, especially in light of increasing crackdowns on visible signs of queer pride.
“The rainbow steps are a statement of sanctuary and solidarity,” the church shared.
“We want LGBTQ+ individuals to know they are seen, loved, and welcomed here.”
Wider Crackdown on LGBTQ+ Symbols
The church’s action comes as part of a broader wave of protest against government-led efforts to remove LGBTQ+ visibility from public spaces.
Just last week, protestors were arrested in Texas after standing on a rainbow crosswalk to try to prevent its removal.
Meanwhile, in Florida, officials in Miami Beach destroyed a longstanding rainbow crossing that had been in place since 2018 and stood as a landmark of queer history. In response, Pride and rainbow flags have since been hung near the intersection in silent protest.
