Standing at the corner of Cedar Springs and Oak Lawn Blvd in Dallas for over 150 years, Oak Lawn United Methodist Church has served Texans of faith, including members of the LGBTQ community. Through its inclusive efforts, the church is a leader in providing resources for all Texans. And through a sign of symbolic strength, the church continues to commit to standing up for equality.
On Oct. 9, Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered all decorated crosswalks across the state to be removed within 30 days or risk losing essential funding from the state’s transportation department. The rainbow crosswalks are a major pillar of the community across Houston, Dallas, Austin and more, and have been in place as early as 2017 as a visible and popular show of support for LGBTQ Texans in their hometowns.
In Dallas, the rainbow crosswalk was privately funded by the North Texas LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce through private donations and fundraising efforts in 2020. The crosswalks, which underwent a recent redesign that was also privately funded, are maintained by small business owners across Dallas’ LGBTQ neighborhood in Cedar Springs.
Though City of Dallas officials and local advocates continue to explore options to keep the crosswalks in place, members of the community have already begun to mobilize in response to Abbott’s efforts. Last Saturday, local community leaders, including Cece Cox from Dallas’ Resource Center and out State Representative Venton Jones, organized a rally at the city’s historic intersection of Cedar Springs and Oak Lawn to speak out against the removal. On Tuesday morning, Oak Lawn United Methodist Church coordinated its own response.
Robert Garcia Sr. and Robert Garcia Jr., father and son and heads of security at Oak Lawn United Methodist Church, are leading the project to paint the stairs leading up to the church in LGBTQ pride colors. This project, Garcia Jr. said, is an opportunity for the church to show its solidarity and commitment to all Texans of faith, including members of the LGBTQ community.
“We’re trying to show them you can take away the colors here, but you can’t take it away from our church,” Garcia Jr. said.
Garcia Sr., who has family members who attend Sunday services, said the church community welcomes him and his family with open arms. Literally.
“You come in here and you’re family. Gay, straight, trans, Black, white,” Garcia Sr. said. “There are hugs everywhere. We’re not shaking hands here. Just hugs here and open doors.”
Earlier this week, Houston staged a sit-in protest as officials removed the rainbow crosswalk in Houston’s Montrose District. Less than a day later, the crosswalk colors returned, chalked in by residents. In Austin, drag artist and activist Brigitte Bandit and other organizers held a photoshoot on their crosswalk, and with help from Austin’s Fire Department, removed red paint thrown onto the crosswalk by protesters.
View this post on Instagram
Though the crossroads on Cedar Springs may face an uncertain future, for Oak Lawn United Methodist Church, pride will not be erased. No matter what.
“If you like it, great! If you don’t, turn around. Look away,” Garcia Sr. said. “It’s as simple as that.”
