A bold show of defiance that church leaders are calling an act of faith is coming to life on the steps of a Methodist church in Dallas.

In response to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s order removing a Pride crosswalk in front of the Oak Lawn United Methodist Church in the city, church leaders are painting the building’s broad steps in bright rainbow colors.

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“It’s important because silence is not neutral — silence in the face of harm always sides with the oppressor,” Senior Pastor Rachel Griffin-Allison said in a statement on Tuesday.

“Painting our steps in the colors 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.”

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Church leadership hopes the rainbow steps will serve as both a statement of solidarity and a sanctuary of hope for the LGBTQ+ community and allies across Dallas, they said.

“The rainbow is a reminder that God keeps showing up — especially for those the world tries to silence.”

Earlier this month, Abbott directed the Texas Department of Transportation to tear up rainbow crosswalks across the state, following a directive from U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy issued in July. 

“Texans expect their taxpayer dollars to be used wisely, not advance political agendas on Texas roadways,” the governor said on October 8. “Today, I directed the Texas Department of Transportation to ensure Texas counties and cities remove any and all political ideologies from our streets.”

Crews began the removal process this week.

In Houston, police arrested four protesters on Monday night who attempted to block a roadway at one crosswalk intersection in the Montrose gayborhood. They were charged with obstruction to maintain public order during the operation, according to Click2Houston.

Residents around the city drew chalk rainbow designs on their sidewalks and streets in protest, The Houston Chronicle reports.

In Dallas, city council members have pushed back against Abbott’s directive.

The governor’s order is “unsupported and highly questionable,” said councilmember Paul Ridley. Fellow member Adam Bazaldua likened Abbott’s actions to “political bullying,” according to WFAA.

“A rainbow is not a political statement,” Bazaldua said. “It’s a universal symbol of inclusion, hope, and pride in diversity.”

Residents gathered at various rainbow intersections across the city to protest the removals on Saturday. 150 demonstrators showed up at a rainbow crosswalk at the Legacy of Love Monument in Oak Lawn, home to Oak Lawn United Methodist Church.

“None of those expressions of free speech and cultural identity should be erased for any reason whatsoever,” said Cece Cox, the CEO of Resource Center, a local LGBTQ+ nonprofit organization.

The work at the church should take about two weeks, congregant Robert Garcia Sr. told the Dallas Voice. A crew of church volunteers will paint four or five coats of the rainbow and transgender flag colors, and add a non-slip sealer, he said as work began on Tuesday morning.

Pastor Griffin-Allison said painting the steps wasn’t “a political act,” but a “pastoral one.”

“When forces of power try to erase symbols of queer joy and inclusion, the Church has a choice — to retreat into comfort or to step forward in courage. We’re choosing courage.”  

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