Oak Lawn Church Celebrates Rainbow Steps Amid Controversy

The Oak Lawn United Methodist Church in Dallas has consecrated a vibrant rainbow display painted on its front steps, marking a bold response to a directive from Texas Governor Greg Abbott. During a ceremony held on October 8, 2023, the church celebrated the completion of this display, which mirrors the colors of the Pride flag, symbolizing support for the LGBTQ community.

This initiative emerged shortly after Abbott mandated the removal of rainbow crosswalks across Texas, stating that such symbols represent political ideologies that should not appear on public streets. The church, located in a historically LGBTQ-friendly neighborhood, has a longstanding connection with the community and chose to make a statement through this artistic expression.

Consecration Ceremony Highlights Commitment to Inclusivity

During the consecration ceremony, the Rev. Rachel Griffin-Allison emphasized the significance of the painted steps. “These steps are more than paint: They are a prayer of sacred resistance, declaring that God’s love will not be silenced or painted over,” she said. The crowd participated in a call-and-response format, chanting the phrase, “Love belongs in public.”

Griffin-Allison further highlighted the importance of the rainbow colors, stating, “Each color preaches the gospel – that every person is created in the image of God, and worthy of safety, dignity, and belonging.” The atmosphere was filled with joy as the audience erupted in cheers following her remarks.

The recent directive from Abbott has stirred significant debate. He instructed the Texas Department of Transportation to ensure that all cities and counties remove “any and all political ideologies from our streets,” which he claims detracts from public safety and the efficient use of taxpayer dollars. Cities were given a 30-day timeframe to comply, or risk losing state and federal transportation funding.

Community Response and Broader Implications

The impact of Abbott’s directive is already being felt across Texas. Many of the state’s largest cities, including Houston, Austin, and San Antonio, feature rainbow crosswalks. In Houston, crews recently painted over a rainbow crosswalk in the Montrose neighborhood, sparking outrage among local residents.

At the Oak Lawn church, attendees Hayden and Rango Parmar-Weiss shared their recent marriage experience, highlighting their fears about potential changes to legal protections for same-sex couples. Rango Parmar-Weiss expressed appreciation for the church’s choice to paint its steps with the Progress Pride flag, which incorporates black and brown stripes alongside the pink and blue of the transgender flag.

“There’s a lot of effort right now being put to make people like us less visible,” Hayden Parmar-Weiss remarked. “We’re matching their energy and making sure that we are just as visible as ever, if not more visible.”

As the ceremony concluded, a counter-protest occurred outside the church, where a man with an American and Christian flag criticized the rainbow display. His sign declared the rainbow to be “a promise of God, not a symbol of pride.”

The discussion surrounding the removal of rainbow crosswalks extends beyond Texas. In Florida, a rainbow crosswalk memorializing the victims of the 2016 Pulse Nightclub shooting was recently painted over, igniting further backlash within the community. In July, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy also urged states to eradicate political messages from public roadways, insisting taxpayers expect their funds to support safe and neutral streets.

As the Dallas City Council prepares to meet on November 5 to discuss the future of the city’s rainbow crosswalks, community advocates remain vigilant. Council member Paul Ridley, who represents Oak Lawn, is looking into legal avenues to challenge Abbott’s directive. The upcoming discussions may significantly influence the visibility and representation of the LGBTQ community in public spaces across Texas and beyond.