A South Florida drag performer has turned pieces of a removed rainbow crosswalk into a striking fundraiser for Pride events in Key West and Naples. The repainted bricks sold out in four days, raising $26,575 for celebrations facing a tougher search for corporate support and public funding.
Repainted crosswalk bricks find a new purpose
A small piece of rainbow-painted pavement is now a keepsake, and a source of support for Florida Pride events. Drag performer Ms. Bouvèé, whose offstage name is Eric Swanson, raised $26,575 by selling 50 bricks from a rainbow crosswalk removed from Miami Beach's Ocean Drive. (Sources: WLRN, CBS News)
Swanson cleaned and repainted the bricks, then added plaques explaining where they came from and how long the crosswalk had been in place. The result was part memento, part fundraiser, with a vivid reminder of a piece of public art that had disappeared. (Sources: CBS News, Miami Herald)
How the rainbow crosswalk became a fundraiser
The Ocean Drive crosswalk was among rainbow street features removed after Florida officials ordered their removal. The state said such markings could distract drivers; the decision prompted protests from residents and LGBTQ+ supporters, including Swanson, who took part in demonstrations in drag. (Sources: Associated Press, Washington Post)
Swanson later heard that bricks from the crosswalk were being auctioned after the design was replaced with black pavement. He bought 50 and saw an opportunity to give them a second life, while turning public attention towards Pride celebrations that needed help. (Sources: CBS News, WLRN)
Pride events get more than the original target
The campaign brought in $16,300 for Naples Pride and $10,275 for Key West Pride, surpassing Swanson's initial fundraising goals. All 50 bricks sold within four days, a quick response that suggests plenty of people wanted to hold on to a tangible piece of local LGBTQ+ history. (Sources: WLRN, Miami Herald)
The money is intended to help pay for live entertainment and security at the events. Those costs can be difficult to cover, particularly as both Pride organisations have struggled to attract corporate sponsors. (Sources: WLRN, CBS News)
Why these bricks carry extra meaning
For many supporters, the appeal goes beyond colourful decor. Swanson connected the bricks with the history of protest, including the use of bricks as a symbol associated with the Stonewall uprising. Turning a removed part of the street into a keepsake gives that history a local, physical connection. (Sources: WLRN, Miami Herald)
The story also reflects a broader argument about who gets to decide what belongs on public streets. Florida's crosswalk removals followed a wider push to take down street art and other markings deemed potentially distracting, despite reporting that challenged the safety rationale. (Sources: Associated Press, Washington Post)
A practical idea with a human touch
The fundraiser's approach was simple but thoughtful: preserve the material, explain its provenance and connect each sale to a specific community need. For other local groups considering a similar project, clear information about where an item came from and how funds will be used can help turn curiosity into support. (Sources: CBS News, WLRN)
And the bricks have a life beyond the sale. Each one carries a little colour, a story of removal and a contribution to the next Pride celebration. Swanson has said he hopes the project inspires other drag performers to find creative ways to support LGBTQ+ organisations and events. (Sources: WLRN, Miami Herald)
A repurposed brick may be modest, but its impact can travel a long way.
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