Landmark commission unanimously approves church's rainbow steps: "This is religious expression" - LGBTQ Nation

"Oak Lawn United Methodist Church in Dallas received formal approval from the city's Landmark Commission last week after officials, members, and volunteers painted the Late Gothic Revival building's staircase the colors of the rainbow in October. The building has local landmark status, and it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places."

"Church officials and members at Oak Lawn called painting the stairs an act of faith. "Silence in the face of harm always sides with the oppressor," Oak Lawn Senior Pastor Rachel Griffin-Allison said at the time. "Painting our steps in the colors of the rainbow is a visible witness to the gospel we preach: that every person is created in the image of God and worthy of safety, dignity, and belonging," she said."

"At a packed meeting last Monday, members of the Landmark Commission agreed, granting a three-year approval to the "temporary art installation." All of the speakers at the public forum spoke in favor of keeping the rainbow steps. "This is religious expression," said former Landmark Commissioner Cindy Steiner. One speaker after another used the word "safe" to describe how the rainbow steps to the church made them feel, including at least one straight congregant, the Dallas Voice reports. They asked the commission to "respect the wishes of the congregation.""

Oak Lawn United Methodist Church in Dallas painted the front staircase of its Late Gothic Revival building in rainbow colors in October and received formal approval from the city's Landmark Commission. The building holds local landmark status and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The rainbow steps were created in response to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's order to remove rainbow crosswalks across the state. Church leaders described the painting as an act of faith and a visible witness to the gospel, asserting dignity and safety for every person. Public testimony at the commission meeting overwhelmingly supported keeping the rainbow steps.

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