The city of Delray Beach, Florida, has voted to maintain its Pride-themed intersection in defiance of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ (R) administration, after the city’s vice mayor gave an impassioned speech about how “Symbols matter.”

Cit Manager Terrence Moore ordered the Pride symbols to be eliminated in the wake of a coordinated campaign by DeSantis and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to remove rainbow intersections across the state. But efforts led by Delray Beach Vice Mayor Rob Long resulted in a majority of city commissioners voting to keep the intersection in place for the time being.

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The intersection holds special significance, as it was dedicated to the victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting when it was unveiled in 2021. The Palm Beach County Human Rights Council (PBCHRC), not the taxpayers, paid for the project.

Just a month ago, the city’s Pride-themed intersection was defaced for the third time when a driver in a black pickup truck intentionally left tire marks across the crosswalks.

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“When do we stand our ground, and when do we surrender without even a conversation?” Long said during an impassioned speech at a recent board meeting. Long pointed out that the FDOT never issued a formal enforcement letter, nor did Delray officials make any plans to install a Pride symbol elsewhere after plans to destroy the intersection were announced.

“Beyond its symbolic weight to the LGBTQ+ community, the Pride intersection has a practical benefit,” Long said, citing a study across 17 states that found crashes involving pedestrians or cyclists drop 50% at painted intersections. The study also found that injuries resulting from crashes drop 37% and found “a notable increase in drivers yielding to pedestrians,” Long said.

This data comes from the Bloomberg Philanthropies 2022 Asphalt Art Safety Study, which found a 25% decrease in conflicts between drivers and pedestrians, a 27% increase in drivers immediately yielding to pedestrians, and a 38% decrease in pedestrians crossing when the walk signal was not lit at intersections involving public art.

The data negates unproven claims from Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy that Pride-themed crosswalks are not safe because they distract drivers.

“Let’s be honest. We all know this is not about traffic safety. This is political,” Long said. “It’s part of the same culture war climate where symbols of inclusion are targeted precisely because they represent acceptance. It’s about erasing the visibility of our LGBTQ+ people at the same time when their rights are again under direct threat.”

He emphasized that the city has a long history of celebrating marginalized communities. “That’s not just branding; it’s part of our civic identity.”

“Symbols matter,” he said. “They tell our residents, visitors, and especially our youth that they are seen, valued, and safe here. Removing our pride intersection without commission consensus and without a plan to preserve that symbol elsewhere sends the wrong message at the wrong time.”

He urged commissioners to comply with the FDOT only if a formal mandate is given and only if they find a new location for a Pride symbol in the city. “That’s the minimum respect that our community deserves.”