A Methodist church in Texas is making a bold statement on faith and inclusion, painting their front steps in the colors of the LGBTQ+ flag in defiance of Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s recent calls to scrub rainbow crosswalks statewide.
Pastoral leadership at Oak Lawn United Methodist Church in Dallas, Texas say that painting their steps in the colors of the rainbow is not only their way of showing solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community, but a vivid act of Christian witness, an embodiment of the biblical values of kindness, hospitality, and acceptance they hold sacred.
Rainbow Crosswalk Removal
Earlier this year, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy asked the nation’s governors to remove rainbow crosswalks in their states. Rainbow crosswalks are a common sight in cities across the country, particularly in traditionally gay neighborhoods.
Citing the nearly 40,000 traffic fatalities in 2024, Duffy framed the move as one of safety, not symbolism. He stressed the Trump Administration’s desire to make “crosswalk and intersection markings… free from distractions.” It’s unclear how many – if any – traffic fatalities have actually been caused by rainbow paint.
In a later interview, however, Duffy signaled that the initiative had motivations beyond traffic safety. “Roads are for safety,” he stated, “not political messages or artwork.”
That’s a sentiment echoed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who in October directed the Texas Department of Transportation to remove “political ideologies” from crosswalks, threatening he’d withhold state and federal funds from any cities which refused to comply.
Some crosswalks have already been removed.
"Texans expect their taxpayer dollars to be used wisely,” Abbott wrote, “not advance political agendas on Texas roadways.”
Taking a Colorful Stand
Abbott’s announcement sparked outrage and galvanized resistance, leading to protests in cities across the state.
Some 150 demonstrators showed up to protest the removal of the privately funded rainbow crosswalk just outside the front steps of the LGBTQ+-friendly Oak Lawn United Methodist Church in Dallas.
And after seeing their community display scores of rainbows on private property as a form of peaceful protest, pastoral leadership came up with the idea to paint their steps in the colors of the rainbow – not in defiance, but in solidarity.
As Senior Pastor Rachel Griffin-Allison put it, “painting our steps in the colors of the rainbow is a visible witness to the gospel we preach: that every person is created in the image of God and worthy of safety, dignity, and belonging."
"They're not just paint on steps, but a way to say that God's love will not be silenced."
Church leadership felt it important to signal that Oak Lawn is a safe harbor for those who may feel unwelcome elsewhere.
“The rainbow is a reminder for those that come in our doors or just drive through our neighborhood that there's a place for them of safety and community,” stated Rev. Ryan Wager.
Should Rainbows Be in the Road?
Supporters of public rainbow displays say the Pride flag is not an inherently "political message," but instead a symbol of visibility and inclusion for a community long pushed into the margins.
And when it comes to rainbow crosswalks in particular, they argue that "safety" is a convenient guise under which to remove a display that means a lot to the communities that choose to paint them. Protesters say that LGBTQ+ visibility – not traffic deaths – is the real enemy being targeted here.
But so far, that hasn't stopped the campaign to remove them from the public eye in places like Texas.
What do you think? Should rainbow crosswalks get the green light, or are states justified in paving them over?
61 comments
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Rev Frankie PG
Rainbows are a glorious work of God's doing and definitely an obvious signal for the GayBC's Community. Though I am a very loud and proud gay man and have been a public servant for over 30 years. As a gay man I'm all about it but as a public servant I understand. Just like nativity displays at government buildings, a pagan one has to be condoned as well. If we paint one public crosswalk one way, then we have to paint another crosswalk to appease a different group. Then you have the people that pay the taxes that complain that would never condone their tax monies being spent on such a group, onward and so forth. Rather than opening the can of worms, it is in the best interest of the government to remain neutral.
As for private property, have fun and decorate it as much as you want, as long as your display is within safety and legal regulations.
As for a church painting the steps the GayBC's Flag, it goes back to the 'are we going to be offending anyone', as we are supposed to be a place of sanctuary for all. There are many churchgoers that believe the Holy Word is absolute and therefore is against Homosexuality, where then you have Reverends like me that state that as long as it's legal, both parties are of age and no one is getting hurt, work it out. The sanctity of the church itself should not be compromised, that's what confessional and support groups are for. Jesus loves everyone and God blesses all of us therefore we as believers of Christ should absolutely strive to be Christ-like and accept the family, as well as the haters. In this country especially, we have the Freedom of Choice.
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Rev Frankie PG
Rainbows are a glorious work of God's doing and definitely an obvious signal for the GayBC's Community. Though I am a very loud and proud gay man and have been a public servant for over 30 years. As a gay man I'm all about it but as a public servant I understand. Just like nativity displays at government buildings, a pagan one has to be condoned as well. If we paint one public crosswalk one way, then we have to paint another crosswalk to appease a different group. Then you have the people that pay the taxes that complain that would never condone their tax monies being spent on such a group, onward and so forth. Rather than opening the can of worms, it is in the best interest of the government to remain neutral.
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Rev Frankie PG
Rainbows are a glorious work of God's doing and definitely an obvious signal for the GayBC's Community. Though I am a very loud and proud gay man and have been a public servant for over 30 years.
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Jefferson Kunkle
isn't forcing the ten commandments to be displayed or prayer in school forcing a political agenda. or saluting the flag. a lot of things are politically motivated and hence part of an agenda. so much hyprocacy
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Neil Evans
I'm not one to judge that's GOD'S JOB I can only treat people fair and how i would like to be treated we all have judgement day and on that day each man will know his position in the afterlife.
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Rev. BH
And sadly, they are also threatened by colored people
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John Florea Jr
Another sign that the Christian religion is one of the most evil cults ever created.
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Bridget Kielas-Fecyk
Only those who are total snowflakes, mentally ill, cult members, or complete narcissists would feel threatened by a rainbow crosswalk. And no, rainbow crosswalks have NOT caused any accidents. The "There's been an increase in accidents" and trying to say it was caused by rainbow colors in a crosswalk is like saying a person was stabbed to death becasue the sky was blue.
But then again, these are the cultists who are putting out videos of themselves spraying vinegar water into the air claiming it gets rid of "Sky rainbows" so that the "Gay agenda doesn't get our kids" Which is sickening.
These are the same cultists threatening to unalive teachers for having rainbows and butterflies decorating the walls of preschool and kindergarten classrooms, and have threatened to burn down schools that have rainbows in their hallways and encourage art projects.
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Walter J. Holbrook
Poor religious Fanatics. Crying over colors
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Rev Ned
For some reason, MAGAts and Evangelical Christofascists are terrified of 🌈s on stuff like beer cans etc.. Remember the song, 🎼 “Things That Make You Go Hmmm.”
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Minister Rob
AAAAAnd there's the first one name calling!!!! Boy, some of you all think you're sooooo righteous, and then start spewing even more hate by name calling!! Gob Bless your heart!
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Jacqueline Hayes
Let's talk about the Torah/Bible for a minute. This "book" is a compilation of many authors' interpretations of the time. Over the centuries, the "book" has been translated from its original texts into different languages and dialects. Some interpretations may not have had a word that was the exact meaning of the original text, and were changed to a similar-sounding word, or a word with a similar meaning, or even spelled incorrectly to create a whole new word and meaning, changing the original context of the passage. The "book" may have even been rewritten to fit into one person's idea at that time. We do not know what Jesus' words truly were, and we will never know. Love is love, so live and let live; no book will ever tell you what you feel is in your heart.
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Charlie K.
The Republican party is making it political!
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Michele Marie Miles
This is a blatant statement of hate. Pure and simple. It is saying that human beings cannot be different and should be converted to 'Christian normalcy.' This was the same statement when they tried to prevent civil rights for Blacks in the 60's and when they tried to prevent women's rights in America's history. It is vanilla America trying to erase the very cogs that run this country. What are you people going to do when the outside is too hot with too many UV rays for you to go out and pick the very farms you need to feed your hungry masses? Think about that.
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Steven Ferrell
Painting their personal property is one thing, having that on public property is all together different.
Taxpayers should not be funding that rainbow stuff on public property.For those of you who would say that the alphabet bunch pay taxes too, don’t should he allowed, then I have to guess you would be fine with the Stars and Bars being painted on public property as those who agree with that pay taxes.
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Roy S. Thorpe
Almost all movements to right society's past wrongs end up a political issue! Even people pushing their religious beliefs can polarize part of the population! People fear things their lack of knowledge brings to the forefront! So, rather than cower in fear they attack,sometimes with disastrous results!
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obere mchugh
Good for the church showing that they are on the side of being inclusive and love for all. As we all know the bible is both the jewish peoples book and then the re-interpritation of as well addition to as the new testiment.
far to much bigotry and hate has been used ever since the christian church has been created. all people are valid, if you use the "good" book as your reason to hate on others then you really are the problem, as in the end no one has the right to say some one else isnt worthy of love. any reasoning of the bible for your hate then by all means those who do are the real problem in the world. just leave other's alone for if others where just seen as humanbeing's there would be no need for pride days or anything else. if all others were just respected things would not be needed as they are now.
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Deborah Davenport
I'm sorry but, reading many of these comments, it seems that so many are forgetting a very strong message Jesus gave to the religious leaders of the time. He told them im Matthew 7:1-5 not to judge others or they would be judged by the same standard.
Now, I'm not Christian but I was raised in that belief system. While in it, I was taught that Jesus forgave, accepted, and traveled with those society called sinners. Doesn't that mean Christians, too, should at the very least, be accepting of those committing what the Bible defines as sin?
Just asking here.
Oh, and I personally have seen how billboards tend to be much more of a distraction than something painted on a road. Why don't we push to have them removed -- especially when they are making political statements or pushing a political agenda.
Again, just stating my opinion. Take it or leave it.
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ServantOfJudgement
Some churches don't want to corrupt the message of the rainbow by re-assigning it as an antichrist meaning.
One can't follow the bible and wilfully, openly and unashamedly partake and encourage what the bible says is sinful while branding it good.
Churches don't encourage heroin use or praise drunkenness and call them good. This church in question is unfortunately outside the will of God and may as well put an active prostitute on crack at the pulpit between her tricks with her partitioners.
You don't have to agree, like or live by what the bible says. Free will is awesome.
Sorry about that.
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James Riggle-Johnson
Good for them. It’s wonderful to see a church stand up and say, “You belong here—you are safe here.” I only hope it lasts before someone tries to deface it.
This fight over rainbow crosswalks has nothing to do with safety—it’s about erasing anything that honors or represents the LGBTQ community. These crosswalks aren’t just paint; they’re symbols of pride, safety and remembrance. They stand in neighborhoods that have long been safe havens for queer people, honoring those lost to AIDS, those attacked for being who they are, and those who fought for equality when the world turned its back.
The people pushing these “neutrality” laws have never had to hide who they are to survive. They’ve never had to glance over their shoulder or weigh whether holding someone’s hand might get them beaten. They call these symbols “divisive,” yet they ignore the truth: hate crimes against LGBTQ people have more than doubled in the past decade.
Erasing our visibility doesn’t make anyone safer—it only empowers those who thrive on hate. These small, colorful gestures are more than art; they’re reminders that love still lives here, and that we refuse to disappear.
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Lori-Ann Neeb
I think bible thumpers will disagree with everything because they were raised or , for whatever their reason may be, came to follow such conservative beliefs. They are raised to lash out at anyone who looks or thinks like they do. It may be their right to decide for themselves but not anyone else. They should at the very least learn to live and let live.
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ServantOfJudgement
If a church uses or displays the rainbow as any symbol other than Gods promise then that is not a church or the Lord's house.
You don't have to believe the bible, like what it says or believe in the God that it says directed its creation and ours. You don't have to agree with one single standard it sets. The original sin was Pride committed by Satan. Pride in ones sexual preferences is not adhering to Jesus' teaching one slice. Pride in a sexual preference Jesus says no to is not obeying Jesus. It's obeying Satan, according to the Bible.
Painting the rainbow on the building steps as a symbol of gay pride equates to painting a cross at the bottom of each toilet in the building.
That's no church of Christ. Sorry about that.
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James Riggle-Johnson
Rainbows are sunlight reflecting through water droplets in the sky, nothing more, nothing less. They existed for billions of years before the biblical great flood and will be around for billions of years after.
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ServantOfJudgement
Totally fine James. The cross was around before Jesus was crucified also. What was once a chunk of wood used to kill people with became a symbol that took on an entirety new meaning. No big deal.
The trouble comes when a Church willfully uses a corrupted meaning of what the bible says is a sacred thing.
That's where the rubber meets the road. That's where we can see if a church is biblical or a clubhouse for antichrists.
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James Riggle-Johnson
I think you take the bible far too seriously. God was not telling people what to write. As for what Jesus said, we only have the word of those who wrote it—and they were also nothing more that human. They could have been easily corrupted too.
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Patricia Ann Gross
Rainbows are also the symbol of the promise God gave Noah and the people that emerged from the Ark that he would never destroy the earth with water again.
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Rev Ned
🌈 BOO!! Terrifying isn’t it?!?
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Douglas Robert Spindler
All churches should do this. This is just another step in Christians wanting to bring back segregation as part of Project 2025. True Christians would be embarrassed by this as this is NOT what God, the Bible of Jesus teaches. Just more Christians spreading hate instead of love.
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Rev. BH
Make that Christian Nationalists, Douglas. A whole different strain.
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Elizabeth Jane Erbe Wilcox
I love to see genuine Christian churches. They are welcoming, affirming, honest, compassionate, welcoming, courageous, kind, and more. Although I am a non believer, I know a Christian when I see one. Bravo to this church.
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Lionheart
Isn’t it weird how the Pride flag, and even the Trans flag, has “straight” lines? Those involved are anything but straight. 🤭
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Patricia Ann Gross
Not at all. Many different colors co-existing in a straight world. (My opinion, not an official stance, as far as I know).
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Elizabeth Jane Erbe Wilcox
What an amusing person you aren’t. 🩷
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Lionheart
The world seems to be lacking a good sense of humor don’t you think, so thank you. 🤗
By the way, I just saw a report saying that testicular cancer affects the lives of 9 out of 10 Democrat women. To be honest, I’m not really too sure about that, 9 seems a little high to me. 🤭
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Rev. BH
Thanks for the irrelevant, cheerless statistics, Lionheart. (How about Republican women? And the word you're searching for is Democratic. Are you a Republic?)
As far as the actual topic here, I like colors. All kinds, anywhere. The more the better. Why are all our cars now white, silver or black? New big McMansions are all tombstone gray. Boring.
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Lionheart
You’re welcome. Perhaps wavy colored lines 🏳️🌈 might have been better with a few nasal septum rings hanging from it. 🤭
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Rev. BH
Uh, what?
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Ben
😂
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Patricia Ann Gross
Tonight, a man was hit and (most likely) killed outside my apartment building in a crosswalk that is painted bright (as in "glow in the dark") white while riding a motorscooter. Accidents can occur anywhere the drivers or pedestrians are not paying attention to what they are doing whether the crosswalks are painted with rainbows or reflective paint. I was watching the aftermath from a 4th story balcony, and the man was far from where the scooter was crumpled up, face down and never moved. All I could do for him was pray.
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ServantOfJudgement
That's terrible Patricia. I think here in the states people are complacent and assume right of way over vehicles. That thinking is a death sentence, especially if Americans travel abroad where vehicles have right of way.
You're right, gotta pay attention, especially nowadays with social media and texts at our fingertips.
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Melinda Fulk
This is lovely. And the front of that church is now very colorful and welcoming. Now, I want to see somewhere in TX paint a MAGA slogan on a crosswalk and see how long it takes to remove it, if public roads aren't the place for political statements....
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ServantOfJudgement
You'll be hard pressed to find something like that Melinda.
Generally speaking, only the left defaces or destroys public and private property when they're peacefully protesting or expressing themselves. That's why BLM and rainbows can be easily found on sidewalks and intersections across the country. The left is somewhat belligerent in their methods, gleefully so.
If such a mural as MAGA were painted as you'd like to see, the left would immediately deface and destroy it. If the artist were present he'd either go the hospital or the morgue that very same day.
I'm willing to be wrong but since I've been paying attention, the left seems to romanticize violence, brutality and bloodshed all while shouting love love love.
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Reverend Paula Copp
Wow… amazing how you managed to get so totally wrong. ICE goons are beating up PEACEFUL PROTESTORS!
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Ben
Got any links?
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Michael Hunt
You've been paying attention to propaganda. In reality, numerous studies have found left-wing extremists to be less violent than right-wing extremists.
https://www.start.umd.edu/publication/comparison-political-violence-left-wing-right-wing-and-islamist-extremists-united
https://theconversation.com/right-wing-extremist-violence-is-more-frequent-and-more-deadly-than-left-wing-violence-what-the-data-shows-265367
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James Riggle-Johnson
Religious zealots have been beating gay people to death for centuries.
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Colleen McAllister
Excuse me Servant of Justice but I believe that it is the President who has done the most property damage - destroying the east wing of the White House to build a monstrosity of an unneeded ballroom. Painting a rainbow on the street is far from destruction.
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Patricia Sydney Solis
"Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions"- Proverbs 18:2 Servant hasn't heard how Ted Cruz opens up to possible prosecution of protestors now with his introduction of Senate Bill S.2376. Servant hasn't heard about Gov. Ron DeSantis painting over rainbow crosswalks in Florida either. https://www.beacononlinenews.com/articles/featured/fdot-paints-over-butterfly-crosswalk-in-spring-hill/
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Najah P Tamargo
Najah Tamargo-USA
They are a church. Leave them alone!!!! Jesus believed in inclusion, so what's up in Texas?????
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ServantOfJudgement
Unfortunately for this church Najah, God gave the rainbow as a symbol of his promise not to flood the earth. A church that uses the rainbow as a symbol of pride is diametrically opposed to what Jesus believes.
If we go by the Bible that is. If not, we can paint rainbows or cover the place with black tar, doesn't matter. God's not involved at that point.
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Lionheart
How do you know what Jesus believed, assuming he was real of course?
🦁❤️
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Amber Fry
Any red letter bible pretty well spells it out.
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Lionheart
Nope! What you are reading that has been highlighted in red letters are supposedly here-say words that were written by historians decades later, (that made it into the bible), that never met Jesus because they were not born during the time Jesus was supposed to have been alive. We really don’t know what Jesus ever really said, even though those red highlighted words tend to imply he really said those things.
Are you aware that NO contemporary historians during the life of Jesus ever wrote about him? Don’t you find that kinda weird?
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Ben
That's because it's a retelling of older solar archetypes.
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Rev. BH
No, Lionheart. Not weird, unsurvivable.
"Writing during Jesus' time involved various tools like styluses, reed pens, and ink, and materials such as papyrus for scrolls, parchment made from animal skins for longer documents, waxed tablets for temporary notes, and pottery shards or stone for informal records."
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Lionheart
And yet it was no problem for contemporary historians during Jesus’ time writing about other events that were survivable, but nothing about Jesus, or a very young woman having a baby supposedly fathered by a deity. Weird, right? 🤭
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Rev. BH
Examples, please.
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Lionheart
Sure thing. As an example here are a few contemporary historians that lived during Jesus’ time, listed with their birth dates and death dates:
Perseus 34-62
Petronius 27-56
Philo 20-50
Marcus Cluvius Rufus 15-75
Quintus Curtius Rufus 11-71
Columella 4-70
Florus Lucius 5-55 BC/AD
Geminus 10-50 BC-AD
Phaedrus 15-50 BC-AD
Titus Livius 59-17 BC-AD
Pomponius Mela 15-45 BC-AD
Valerius Maximus 10-57 BC-AD
Lucius Ceneca 4-65
Hero of Alexandria 10-70
Apollonius of Tyana 15-100
Musonius Rufus 20-101
Pliny the Elder 23-79
Silius Italicus 28-103
Quintilian 35-100
Martial 38-102
You will see some dates are BC-AD.
Thanks for your interest.
🦁❤️
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Robert Gagnon
Public safety is a legitimate angle, but a private road or property can do whatever they like. You have to admit it would cause challenges in a parking lot. Since not everyone is onboard with the rainbow coalition it may run some Texans off from that particular church. Hopefully they have a full congregation where that won't effect attendance.
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Clay Serenbetz
In my opinion, only mentally ill persons are threatened by colorful crosswalks. The crosswalk are not more dangerous and they liven up a dreary cityscape.
The whole premise of the rainbow is to designate inclusivity. All are welcome. Regardless of what you do behind closed doors. I can’t imagine a God who would turn anyone away. I also feel that those without sin (any sin) should cast the first stone. Everyone sins regardless of how many church sermons you attend or how many money you tithe. The God I know gives us free will. If god gives us free will, why can’t the church or the attendees? Who are you to judge anyone? Who am I to judge anyone. I believe we must all focus on our own relationship with our god(s). And not worry so much about what others are doing. They have or don’t have a relationship with their creator and their relationship is their business. Certainly if I don’t care for the music that is playing on the radio, I can turn the station, or I can turn it off and listen to the birds singing instead. But turning the station on someone else’s radio is not acceptable. That is the music they like and who am I to say, I don’t like the music of your life so I am changing it to the music of my life. Everyone should consider the music they prefer and not worry about what music someone else is playing.