King Charles III dedicated the UK's first national memorial to LGBTQ+ troops at the National Memorial Arboretum, honoring those affected by the historic ban on homosexuality in the military, and acknowledging the struggles and sacrifices of gay and transgender service members.
The rainbow-colored crosswalk memorial for the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting victims in Orlando was painted over by Florida authorities following a federal directive, sparking protests and community backlash. The removal, linked to a broader crackdown on political demonstrations on public land, was criticized by city officials and LGBTQ+ advocates, who see it as an erasure of the memorial and a political act.
The rainbow crosswalk outside Orlando's Pulse nightclub, a memorial for the 49 victims of the 2016 mass shooting, was painted over by the state, which officials describe as a political act and a betrayal of the community's efforts to honor the victims. The removal follows recent state directives against rainbow-themed public art on crosswalks, citing safety and distraction concerns.