City forced to scrap Rainbow Arch project due to Ron DeSantis’s anti-DEI law

[Jessica_Rose ✅]

City forced to scrap Rainbow Arch project due to Ron DeSantis's anti-DEI law

https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/city-forced-to-scrap-rainbow-arch-project-due-to-ron-desantiss-anti-dei-law/ 🔗

Molly Sprayregen (16 June 2026)

The city of Key West, Florida, has been forced to end a Pride-themed art initiative due to the state's anti-DEI law.

On Friday, the Key West Business Guild wrote on social media that the city attorney had "confirmed what many feared and sadly what we anticipated: Florida's new Senate Bill 1134 effectively ended the Rainbow Arch project before it could even begin."

The city launched the project in response to Gov. Ron DeSantis' (R) crusade against rainbow crosswalks throughout the state. After DeSantis' wrath against LGBTQ+ people reached Key West and included his administration painting over a rainbow crosswalk in the dead of night, city officials proposed replacing the symbol of inclusion with a large rainbow arch downtown, declaring, "All Are Welcome Here."

But according to the Business Guild, the city attorney said the project was against state law "because its purpose was to celebrate diversity, inclusion, and the freedom of LGBTQ+ people to live openly and authentically."

The law – described by Equality Florida senior political director Joe Saunders as "a sledgehammer aimed at cities and counties that dare to recognize and address the diversity of the people they serve" – also allows any city or county resident to sue their local government for perceived violations, while local elected officials could be removed from office.

[Lori Dee ✅]

against state law "because its purpose was to celebrate ... the freedom of LGBTQ+ people to live openly and authentically."

Yes, here in America, there are places where it is against the law to celebrate the freedom to live openly and authentically.

Why?

Because it is against the law to live openly and authentically. So, no freedom to celebrate.

America. Land of the Free, Home of the Brave.

I don't recognize this country anymore.

[Devlyn ✅]

Soooo...why don't they build a rainbow arch to celebrate the refraction of light through airborne water droplets. FWIW, I recommend building it over the "Straight" of Key West. 🤣

[Lori Dee ✅]

Soooo...why don't they build a rainbow arch to celebrate the refraction of light through airborne water droplets. FWIW, I recommend building it over the "Straight" of Key West. 🤣

I agree.

It could celebrate the diversity of colors in the spectrum of light.

They could install a bronze plaque that reads:

Genesis 9:13-16

  "I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.

Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds,
I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind...

Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth."

[Athena]

It is easier to demonize the "other" if you don't allow it to be normalized. Also education is the strongest weapon against hatred.