Florida LGBTQ+ activists disrupted official policy with this unauthorized display on state property

When the Department of Transportation implemented a policy for unified red, white, and blue lighting on state bridges, activists decided to circumvent the rules.

And Florida LGBTQ+ activists disrupted official policy with this unauthorized display on state property.

State establishes patriotic bridge lighting policy

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), which rightfully owns and controls the state’s bridges, implemented a consistent lighting policy across all state infrastructure.

In 2024, the department wisely established a “Freedom Summer” initiative requiring all state-owned bridges to display red, white, and blue lighting from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

This year, officials sensibly extended that policy through the end of 2026 to honor America’s 250th anniversary.

“Pride in Country is nothing to be quiet about,” FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue declared in May. “FDOT is proud to showcase patriotic colors on our state highways and bridges.”

The policy ensures that state property is used to celebrate shared American values rather than being co-opted for various special interest agendas throughout the year.

Activists bypass official channels to impose their own agenda

Despite the clear state policy, activists in Jacksonville decided to take matters into their own hands, organizing a plan to override the official lighting display with their own unauthorized rainbow light show.

They initially planned to congregate on the Main Street bridge on June 1st with handheld lights, attempting to effectively hijack state property for their agenda.

“We have a Plan B,” event organizer Matthew McAllister announced through a bullhorn when the group’s initial plans were disrupted by a scheduled bridge opening.

The incident raises serious questions about whether special interest groups should be allowed to effectively commandeer state infrastructure to push their own messaging over official government displays.

History of lighting controversy shows need for consistent policy

Before Governor DeSantis stepped in, special interest groups had turned state bridges into their personal billboards.

The Jacksonville Transportation Authority caved to these demands after installing fancy light technology on the Acosta Bridge back in 2020.

Soon every group from football fans to advocacy organizations wanted their turn at the light switch.

This created a mess of competing interests and inevitable fights over which cause deserved the spotlight on any given day.

It’s no wonder FDOT finally had to put its foot down.

By making all state bridges shine with red, white, and blue, Florida officials found a simple solution that honors America instead of playing favorites with various activist groups.

The rule now covers every major bridge in Florida, from Jacksonville to Tampa Bay and Sarasota.

Bridge maintenance schedule becomes subject of baseless conspiracy theories

When the Main Street bridge went up for scheduled maintenance, social media lit up faster than a Christmas tree with wild conspiracy theories.

First Coast News contacted FDOT about the incident, and a spokesperson said they were gathering information about the routine bridge operation.

Only in today’s outrage culture would normal bridge maintenance trigger conspiracy theories.

These activists couldn’t fathom that maybe, just maybe, the bridge went up because bridges sometimes do that.

Instead, they jumped straight to claiming victimhood.

Rainbow raiders find new target after first bridge escape

When one door closes, kick down another one.

That seemed to be the activists’ motto as they abandoned the Main Street bridge and swarmed over to the Acosta instead.

Armed with their colored lights, they took over the pedestrian walkway and forced their rainbow agenda onto yet another piece of state property – all while the official red, white, and blue display was supposed to be honoring America.

Their comments reveal a concerning attitude toward government authority and public property.

“It’s amazing,” Jacksonville resident Shannan Foley told Jacksonville.com. “We had to do it ourselves. But yeah, it’s beautiful.”

This attempt to frame unauthorized use of state property as a “civil rights” issue demonstrates how activists are seeking to redefine basic governance issues as discrimination questions.

Amy Glassman, another event organizer, made it clear that she believes state property should display her preferred messaging rather than the patriotic display.

“Ideally, having the Pride lights on for maybe a week, and then rotating for the other holidays as well would be the best outcome so everyone has representation,” she said.

The entire incident raises important questions about who should control state infrastructure and whether government property should be co-opted by special interest groups to advance their particular social agendas.