Photo credit: Nora Dayton

Today, in the early hours of the morning, the Pride Rainbow Crosswalk in Montrose—a powerful symbol of visibility and belonging—was literally ground off the pavement. We knew this day was coming, but it still hurts to see this attempt to remove this visible expression of Pride and community. We will not be erased.

Installed in 2017 in memory of Alex Hill, the crosswalk was more than just paint on pavement—it was a declaration of remembrance, love, inclusion, and visibility in the heart of Houston’s historic “gayborhood.” Its removal is a painful reminder that while symbols can be destroyed, the spirit they represent endures.

The Pride Crosswalk stood for connection, safety, and the belief that every person deserves to be seen and celebrated. That message remains unchanged. Though the colors have been stripped from the street, they live on in all of us—in how we show up, how we support one another, and how we continue to stand proud.

While the colors may be gone from the street, we will continue the fight for equality, representation, and respect.

To our community and allies: keep your Pride visible all year long. Find your own way to express Pride through the beautiful tapestry of colors that represent who we are—our resilience, our diversity, and our unity. They may remove the paint, but they will never remove our Pride.

The Chamber remains steadfast in working with local elected officials, our partners, and community organizations to ensure that Houston continues to reflect the diversity, strength, and unwavering spirit of the LGBTQ+ community.

Visibility and solidarity matter now more than ever.

Fear and discrimination have no place in our city or region. Love and inclusion will always prevail.

Photo credit: Nora Dayton