In 2020, the rainbow Pride crosswalks were painted in front of the Wicomico County Public Library as a symbol of Salisbury’s commitment to LGBTQ+ visibility, inclusion, and love. They weren’t installed by politicians. They were dreamed up, funded, and maintained by local families, friends, and advocates through Salisbury PFLAG. They represented stories, courage, and community. Now, they’re being paved over.

Mayor Randy Taylor has announced that the crosswalks will be removed during scheduled road repaving. While claiming this is about “neutrality” and federal guidelines, the mayor also said the original messaging was too ideological and that newer submissions were “not taken seriously.” This isn’t about paint. It’s about whose voices get to be seen in public.

The Pride crosswalks didn’t just brighten the street. They offered hope to LGBTQ+ youth walking to the library, to elders who fought for visibility decades ago, and to families who want to raise kids in a city that values all of who they are. Removing them sends a chilling message: that being openly queer in public is too political, too divisive, or too inconvenient.

We understand that cities evolve. But erasing a symbol of inclusion doesn’t build unity. It builds silence. If visibility is the problem, then invisibility is not the answer.

We call on Mayor Randy Taylor to immediately pause plans to remove the rainbow crosswalks and work with LGBTQ+ community leaders on a path forward. This includes exploring updated designs that honor the same values and comply with any federal guidelines, without abandoning the core message: You belong here.

Symbols matter. Stories matter. The rainbow crosswalks are part of Salisbury’s story, and we’re not ready to let that story be paved over.

Photo Credit: Baltimore Sun