BREAKING NEWS: FDOT Issues Final Ruling on Key West Pride Crosswalks

City has 30 days to appeal, but lost out on its day in court by not combining its hearing with Delray Beach thanks to commissioners Lee, Carey, Castillo and Mayor Henriquez.

The sun could be setting on Key West’s Pride sidewalks thanks to today’s ruling from the FDOT in Tallahassee. / ROB O’NEAL FKNB

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has issued its final ruling regarding the removal of Key West’s iconic rainbow-colored Pride crosswalks at the intersection of Duval and Petronia streets.

Although no immediate deadline was issued for removal — and the department gave Key West 30 days from today’s date to appeal — that appears to be a moot point following a resolution passed at the Sept. 4 City Commission meeting. The resolution was introduced by openly gay Commissioner Donie Lee.

Commission Voted to End Challenges

Clockwise from top left, commissioners Donie Lee, Lissette Carey, Mayor Danise Henriquez and Aaron Castillo all voted not to seek legal remedy to prevent the removal of Key West’s Pride sidewalks.

Lee’s resolution directed city staff to cease further efforts to challenge the state’s finding in the event of an adverse ruling. The measure passed 4–2, with Lee, Commissioners Lissette Carey, Aaron Castillo, and Mayor Danise Henriquez voting in favor. Commissioners Sam Kaufman and Monica Haskell opposed it. Commissioner Mary Lou Hoover was absent due to illness.

It also meant that the City could not join Delray, Ft. Lauderdale and Miami beaches in filing a motion to stay the crosswalks removals based on communications between the hearing officer and FDOT officials that attorney Howard DuBosar said were inappropriate.

Key West City Manager Brian Barroso will likely make the decision on removing the crosswalks at Duval and Petronia streets under the direction of Mayor Danise Henriquez. / COKW

It was not immediately clear whether City Manager Brian Barroso would order the crosswalks removed or pursue an appeal. If Barroso issues an order to remove them, it could happen as quickly as tonight.

State Standards and Political Dispute

The FDOT decision enforces state traffic standards prohibiting non-standard pavement markings and threatens state funding for noncompliance. Some lawmakers in Tallahassee, however, say the legislature never mandated such changes, despite Gov. Ron DeSantis’s claims to the contrary.

It is also unclear how the new interpretation of the standards will affect roadside memorials and shrines along Florida’s highways.

Final Order and Due Process Concerns

In a final order delivered Monday, FDOT cited its authority under uniform traffic control regulations, reiterating that the city’s Pride crosswalks do not conform to state-issued design guidelines.

The department had previously given Key West until Sept. 3 to comply, warning that failure to do so would result in the state removing the markings and billing the city for the costs.

Though an administrative hearing was held on Sept. 3 in Orlando, FDOT made clear in advance that the hearing would not consider exceptions or waivers — a move city officials criticized as denying due process.

Safety Record and Local Arguments

Key West officials, citing home-rule protections and prior FDOT approval, had argued the crosswalks are municipal street art that pose no safety risks. Installed by FDOT-approved contractors under existing design manuals, the crosswalks have been in place for more than a decade, with no reported accidents at the intersection during that time.

Part of a Statewide Push

FDOT’s ruling aligns with broader state efforts to eliminate roughly 400 “non-standard” pavement markings, including Pride crosswalks, under the banner of roadway safety and uniformity.

The removal of the rainbow crosswalk outside Orlando’s Pulse Nightclub earlier this year drew protests and national scrutiny of the state’s approach.

Supporters argue the directives disproportionately target LGBTQ+ communities and run counter to past FDOT programs such as “Crosswalks to Classrooms,” which encouraged community-designed crosswalk art.

What Comes Next

The Key West officials that killed the city’s legal initiative, have pledged to explore other forms of visible expression — such as flags, banners, or privately funded murals — to preserve the visibility and spirit of the Pride crosswalks if repainting is no longer permitted.

Now all the people of Key West and its One Human Family can do is wait to see when the turpentine comes out.

This is an evolving story. Watch this space.