Robert Garcia and another church member begin the painting of the OLUMC steps on Oct. 21. The project is expected to take two weeks to finish, allowing for several coats of paint topped with a non-skid finish. (Photo by Chad Mantooth)
Oct. 23, 2025
United Methodists in two locations continue to repudiate conservative federal and state orders to erase public artworks that express inclusion of Blacks and LGBTQ+ persons in their communities.
In Texas, Oak Lawn United Methodist Church, located in the heart of Dallas’ “gayborhood,” embarked on a project to paint its entrance in rainbow colors. The project responds to orders from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott that cities remove rainbow-painted crosswalks or lose state and federal transportation funding, according to reports in the Dallas Morning News and Dallas Voice, an LGBTQ+ newspaper.
David Taffet of the Dallas Voice wrote: “The governor’s order claims that crosswalks are a distraction to drivers. However, studies have shown fewer accidents involving pedestrians happen in rainbow crosswalks.”
“For Oak Lawn UMC, located at the corner of Oak Lawn Avenue and Cedar Springs Road, which is the site of one of the crosswalks, church leaders say this act is not one of defiance, but of faith.”
Artist's rendering of Oak Lawn UMC with rainbow-colored additions. (Courtesy of Oak Lawn UMC)
Taffet quoted the Rev. Rachel Griffin-Allison, Oak Lawn UMC’s senior pastor: “It’s important because silence is not neutral — silence in the face of harm always sides with the oppressor. 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.”
“In a written statement, the church’s leadership said it 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,” Taffet wrote.
In Florida, prosecutors declined to press charges against two St. Petersburg pastors who staged a prayer vigil to protest the removal of the former "Black History Matters" street mural in front of the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum, according to Kathryn Varn of Axios.com.
In August, the Rev. Andy Oliver, pastor of Allendale UMC, and the Rev. Benedict Atherton-Zeman of the Unitarian Universalist Church, knelt in prayer on the mural before public works crews began to paint over it. Both pastors were arrested by St. Petersburg police
As with the Texas governor, “Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and state transportation leaders in June ordered the removal of pavement art ‘that is associated with social, political or ideological messages or images,’ saying such artwork poses a safety risk to drivers and pedestrians,” Varn wrote.
“They provided no evidence for the claim, and the data that does exist says the opposite,” Varn continued.
Rev. Oliver wrote in a post on Facebook: "By no means, do not mistake this for the end of the struggle. ... We will keep placing our bodies in solidarity. And we will keep declaring that love, justice, and truth get the last word. Liberation is coming!"
Each pastor was fined $62.50 for obstructing a roadway. Rev. Oliver suggested that supporters donate the same amount to the Woodson Museum.