City of Austin - 4th & Colorado - Rainbow Crosswalk Celebration

Description

Join Mayor Kirk Watson, the Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce and the City of Austin's Public Spaces Task Force for a free community celebration to pay tribute as the rainbow crosswalks are retired in compliance with the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (TMUTCD) after the City was denied an exemption request.

🗓️ Saturday, June 20
📍 4th Street/Bettie Naylor Street & Colorado Street
🕓 Program begins at 4:00 PM
🎨 Mural painting opportunity for the community

Last year, TxDOT issued a directive for municipalities across the state to remove all non-standard pavement markings that TxDOT deemed non-compliant with the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (TMUTCD). The City of Austin applied for exemptions but those were denied and the pavement markings must be removed by June 22, 2026.

In 2025, Mayor Watson formed the Mayor’s Public Spaces Taskforce to provide community-oriented recommendations and remedies that would allow Austinites to demonstrate the pride, love, and diversity they have, while also formulating a community-led response to any possible outcome from the state’s original notification. Colton Ashabranner, Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce VP of Marketing & Communications served on the taskforce.

On June 20th at 4PM, we will honor and celebrate Austin's diverse communities while commemorating the retirement of several non-standard street markings in response to a directive from TxDOT. This event will also highlight a new mural that reflect Austin's shared values and allow community members to help contribute to finishing the mural.

The community-driven event on June 20 has been thoughtfully planned to comply with the state’s directive, while also creating lasting public spaces that reflect Austin’s shared values. This event honors Austin's diversity, creativity, and commitment to welcoming public spaces — and features a brand new community mural by Ramirez Murals (shoutout to Stephanie Pelletier) reflecting Austin's shared values. You'll even get a chance to help finish it yourself. 🖌️💛

"A rainbow crosswalk was never just paint on pavement. It was a visible reminder that LGBTQ+ people belong in Austin. While we're disappointed by the state's decision, our community's future is not defined by a crosswalk. It is defined by the people, small businesses, artists, and entrepreneurs who continue to make Austin stronger every day. The best response is to keep investing in those people and the local economy they help drive." - Todd Hogan, President & CEO of the Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce.

“Austin’s love for its entire community cannot be suppressed. Austin is diverse and vibrant. We take a lot of pride in that. We live it." - Mayor Watson

Named for Bettie Naylor — a beloved longtime Austin LGBTQ+ advocate and lobbyist — 4th Street has always been a place where our community shows up and shows out. 🏳️‍🌈