Rainbow crosswalks? Erased. Donald Trump? Embraced.

Lauderdale-by-the-Sea (LBTS) is co-naming Sea Grape Drive as President Donald J. Trump Drive. Town commissioners voted in favor of the idea on a 3-2 vote on Sept. 10.

More than 70 people, including many LGBTQ citizens, lined up to speak on the subject, with about three-to-one opposed.

“My husband and I have resided in LBTS since 2000. We’ve enjoyed this quaint, seaside community,” one man said. 

He lamented the drastic change in discourse in the town. He cited his experience campaigning for the opponent of Commissioner Richard DeNapoli, the sponsor of the resolution. “I’ve never had people drive by and flip me off. That was a first.”

One Wilton Manors resident and frequent visitor to LBTS pointedly asked, “Why would you co-name Sea Grape Drive after one of the most divisive people in American history? I will not be [visiting] going forward if this passes.”

Many speakers cited Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ excuse to erase rainbow crosswalks that roads shouldn’t be venues for political expression.

“This isn’t hate. This is just us standing for our values and Donald J. Trump does not represent our values,” one anti-MAGA activist said. 

Speakers in favor cited Trump as president and cited other cities, including those in South Florida, having named streets after him, and parity, often citing Barack Obama Boulevard in West Park in Broward County. The sign will be at the intersection of Sea Grape Dr. and Commercial Blvd., near Broward County’s Republican headquarters.

The atmosphere inside the packed room and on the patio where overflow crowds watched on monitors was borderline raucous. Cheers, boos, and/or applause happened after nearly every speaker. Mayor Edmund Malkoon admonished them to be respectful and quiet, even threatening to have the Broward Sheriff’s Office escort them out.

Security was much higher than at most town commission meetings. Three BSO officers guarded the door and used a magnetic wand to screen entrants. When asked why, one deputy said, “Because it’s a political meeting.”

Several procedural, inter-agency steps must be taken to change the sign, and no timetable was given.

LBTS Sea Grape Trump. Photo by John Hayden.