JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The city of Jacksonville is caught in a dispute over rainbow crosswalks and LGBTQ+ public art following an order by the Florida Department of Transportation requiring the removal of such artwork or risking loss of state funding.

In response, local advocates have launched a fundraising campaign, 'Will Not Be Erased,' to create permanent murals, sidewalk art and parking lot installations celebrating Jacksonville’s LGBTQ+ community.

David Vandygriff, CEO of the Jacksonville LGBT Chamber of Commerce said the goal is to ensure that community members feel visible and loved.

“What we want to do is make sure that we have a visible way that people can see that the community loves them just as they are,” Vandygriff said.

The first murals are planned for Lomax Street in the F

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