When she saw a negative reaction after Trina Gregory, owner of SE7Enbites, removed the rainbow crossing outside Orlando’s Pulse Nightclub, she felt she wanted a different reaction.
“We all feel like we are in this place where we are trying to heal this way.
“I’m very hated, and I see these protests, and rhetoric of counterattacks, but there’s another way to counterattack. With kindness, love and the creation of community, that’s what this happens.”
Letter: Readers respond to removal of rainbow crossings
On September 15th, Gregory welcomes the community where the artist celebrates drawing 49 parking spots in the SE7Enbites lot, celebrating the lives lost during the Pulse Nightclub shoot on June 12th, 2016.
Pride Parking Space – Rainbow Connection proves it a powerful panacea for those caught up in the grief of erasure as they aim to wipe away the “political flag” from public roads, as part of the “political flag” while cloaking the night, when workers remove Crosswalk, one of Florida’s most important sites for the LGBTQ community.
She says the reaction is overwhelming.
“I have me in my feelings more than I have done very little.”
After filling up the pulse rainbow, Florida tells Orlando to remove another 18 crosswalks
Gregory said the day’s family-friendly event (still under development) will be held from 7am to 7pm, on the Monday when artists allow paintings for the day and SE7Enbites will be closed.
“We have DJs and live music, face painting, vendors and food trucks,” she says. “Many activities including other art opportunities that people participate in.”
She says the installation of the restaurant’s Rainbow Bird House has seen a better day with outdoor displays 10 years from now.
“We understand that, but some people can draw a birdhouse while there are people out there, and all new people can hang.”
Donations to cover the costs of paints, sealants and other supplies; Event essentials such as volunteer care and logistics You can send it to the SpotFund page of your project (spot.fund/3db3899sc).
Over 49 artists have expressed interest in painting parking spots, but only 16 people at press time filled in all the necessary information, including rough sketches of concepts to consider. Stakeholders can find links to that information at se7enbites.com. Qualified submissions will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, with unused contributions rolling over, Gregory says.
Dots repaint the pulse crosswalk. FHP and OPD Watching Sites
“Because of the interest, I want to give other artists the ability to participate,” she says. Each event says it will be an opportunity to gather as a community on private property, out of reach of state management.
She says there is no fight to fight.
“I want it to be peace. I want to protect politics. I want to create the opposite of the anger and frustration that people are feeling right now,” she says. “This will be a fun event.”
Find me on Facebook, Tiktok, Twitter, Instagram @Amydroo, or Osfoodie Instagram account @orlando.foodie. Email: amthompson@orlandosentinel.com, For more food fun, join Let’s Eat and Orlando Facebook Group.
If you’re going
Pride Parking Space – Rainbow Connection: September 15th, 7am to 7pm. SE7Enbites is located at 617 S. Primrose Drive in Orlando.
Original issue: August 27, 2025, 1pm
