Cape Town’s iconic rainbow pedestrian crossing has been targeted twice in a matter of days, with religious messages painted across the LGBTQ+ landmark in Green Point.
The first act of vandalism happened over the weekend, leaving significant black marks across the crossing and the word “Jesus” painted over its rainbow colours.
Ward 115 councillor Ian McMahon confirmed the damage and said city teams moved quickly to repair the site.
Because not all the specialist colours needed to restore the full rainbow were available, the crossing was temporarily repainted bright pink.
“The rainbow has not disappeared permanently,” McMahon said, explaining that replacement colours had been ordered and were expected to take about three months to arrive.
Crossing Targeted Again
The temporary pink crossing was then vandalised again, with the words “Perversion, Romans 1:24-27” and “Jesus is Lord” painted across the surface.
Images of the second incident circulated online, prompting further anger from LGBTQ+ residents and allies.
MambaOnline reported that a man was arrested in connection with the second incident, although official details around that arrest have not yet been independently confirmed.
It is also unclear whether the same person was responsible for both attacks.
A Visible LGBTQ+ Landmark
Cape Town installed the rainbow crossing in 2022 on Somerset Road, between Alfred Street and Dixon Street, in an area long associated with LGBTQ+ venues, nightlife and community spaces.
At the time, Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said the crossing was intended to signal that everyone should feel welcome in a city that embraces diversity.
It quickly became one of the most recognisable LGBTQ+ landmarks in the area.
It also attracted opposition almost immediately.
The African Christian Democratic Party unsuccessfully called for its removal, while in 2023 politician Mehmet Vefa Dag encouraged supporters to help him paint over the crossing with black paint.
His planned protest ultimately fizzled, with no supporters turning up. Instead, LGBTQ+ community members and allies gathered at the crossing in solidarity.
The Rainbow Will Return
The latest vandalism has again highlighted the tension between Cape Town’s visible queer community and those who oppose public LGBTQ+ representation.
The religious language used in both incidents has also drawn criticism from people who say faith is being weaponised against queer communities.
For now, the city says the crossing will remain pink until the specialist paint needed to restore the original design arrives.
Then the rainbow will return.
And after being targeted twice in days, that restoration will carry even more meaning than before.
