SAN ANTONIO, January 12, 2026 – A defiant act of solidarity unfolded Friday as Planned Parenthood South Texas began repainting rainbow crosswalks outside its San Antonio clinics, just days after cities across Texas were compelled to remove them under a directive from Gov.Greg Abbott. This move directly challenges the state’s restrictions on displays of political or ideological messages and serves as a vibrant display of support for the LGBTQ+ community.
- Gov. Abbott’s October directive mandated the removal of rainbow crosswalks and other “non-standard surface markings” from Texas roadways.
- Planned Parenthood South Texas is repainting rainbow flags outside all seven of its San Antonio and Rio Grande Valley clinics throughout January.
- the city of san Antonio’s attempt to secure an exemption for a “Gay Strip” crosswalk was denied by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).
The nonprofit, which provides a range of reproductive and sexual health services including STD testing, birth control, and abortion care, painted a large rainbow LGBTQ+ flag outside its Richland Hills and Babcock clinics wiht the help of volunteers. “This is an act of solidarity with our queer communities… to ensure people of all genders and sexualities feel welcomed the moment they arrive,” Planned Parenthood South Texas wrote in a Facebook and Instagram post on Monday.
The painting initiative will extend throughout January, encompassing all seven Planned Parenthood clinics in San Antonio and the Rio Grande Valley. Local artists Mauro de la Tierra and Souther Recio are leading the project in San Antonio and the Rio Grande Valley, respectively.
“With so much happening in the world, so much harm and fear, things can feel heavy. But sometimes a single act cuts thru the noise for a while,” Planned Parenthood South Texas stated in the caption of a time-lapse video posted to Facebook and Instagram. “One brushstroke, one crosswalk… thes acts don’t fix everything, but they matter as they insist on hope in the places and in the hearts where hope is being challenged.”
A State-Wide Crackdown
The situation stems from an october announcement by Gov. Abbott,who directed the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to ensure compliance with federal and state guidelines regarding roadway safety. Abbott stated that all “non-standard surface markings,signage and signals that do not directly support traffic control or safety are strictly prohibited,including the use of symbols,flags or other markings conveying social,political,or ideological messages.”
In late December, San Antonio attempted to preserve the rainbow crosswalks in a district known as the “Gay Strip” by submitting an exemption filing.Though, TxDOT, responsible for enforcing Abbott’s directive, rejected the request.
The removals aren’t limited to San Antonio. On Oct. 13, a exhibition formed on a rainbow crosswalk on 4th Street in Austin. During the demonstration, an unidentified individual threw red paint onto the crosswalk, prompting a cleanup effort by Austin firefighters.
