[ad_1]
SARASOTA, Fla. (WFLA) — Members of Harvest Sarasota Church and LGBTQ+ community allies spent Sunday afternoon painting a colorful mural on church property, responding to the recent removal of pride crosswalks and other street art across Florida.
Pastor Dan Minor of Harvest Sarasota Church expressed that the congregation felt compelled to take action once the removals began. “We knew the minute that pride crosswalks across the state of Florida were being covered over,” Minor stated. “We had to do something and do it quickly.”
The mural spans about 500 square feet—approximately the size of a two-car garage—and sits between two significant buildings on the church campus. “We were excited at the opportunity to be here and to be able to send out the message that all are loved and all are included here in our city,” Minor added.
Over the past month, several pavement art pieces have been removed across the state due to a new policy enacted by the Florida Department of Transportation. “We did an inventory of more than 400 locations across the state, and it’s all kinds of art,” revealed Florida Department of Secretary Jared Perdue. Governor Ron DeSantis has defended this decision, stating, “It’s just a change in policy. We don’t want to be in a situation where we’re playing whack-a-mole and say, ‘Oh no, that mural is fine, but that one’s not.’”
Importantly, the mural at Harvest Sarasota Church resides on private property, which means it will not be subject to removal by public officials. Church leaders emphasized that this artwork aims to communicate a powerful message. “Traditionally, evangelical churches have discriminated against LGBTQ+ people,” said Katie McCurry, vice president of advancement for the Harvest House. “So, showing that we’re inclusive to all is so important for the community.”
The issue gained national attention last August when the rainbow crosswalk near Orlando’s Pulse nightclub memorial was painted over. DeSantis also made a statement on social media about not allowing roads to be commandeered for political purposes.
In summary, the mural at Harvest Sarasota Church stands as a testament to inclusivity amidst a backdrop of policy changes affecting street art throughout Florida.
Key Information
- Event: Mural painting by Harvest Sarasota Church and LGBTQ+ allies.
- Location: Private property of Harvest Sarasota Church.
- Mural Size: Approximately 500 square feet.
- Context: Response to the removal of pride crosswalks and other street art in Florida.
- Governor’s Statement: Defended policy changes by Florida Department of Transportation.
- Importance: Message of inclusivity for LGBTQ+ community.
[ad_2]
Article original publish date: 2025-09-15 00:59:00
Article source: www.wfla.com
Read the full story at the original source: www.wfla.com
