The Gainesville City Commission voted unanimously to dual name Northeast/Southeast First Street after Terry Fleming, a local LGBTQ+ activist who died in 2020 at the age of 58.
The dual name order will keep the original street name while also offering a new name that recognizes Fleming’s work throughout the city. A new sign will be displayed along the street following the name change.
The decision follows the August removal of the city’s rainbow crosswalks, which Fleming helped create in 2019.
The street is meant to recognize Fleming’s various contributions to Gainesville, including his role in Democratic, LGBTQ+ and religious organizations.
Commissioners and community members alike expressed approval of the renaming to honor Fleming’s work, noting it upholds the city’s values.
“Renaming a prominent street in his honor ensures that every resident and visitor is reminded of his legacy of selfless service and activism,” Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward said. “It is a powerful affirmation of the values he fought for and that our city holds dear.”
The resolution is effective immediately and will impact the road from Northeast Second Avenue to Southeast Second Avenue, where one of the rainbow crosswalks was located.
Following the motion to dual name “Terry Fleming Street,” the commission voted unanimously to approve the use of rainbow bricks from the removed crosswalk in the renovations of Gainesville City Hall.
“These things, both the renaming of the street and incorporating what we already had, are no-brainers,” Commissioner Ed Book said. “It's recognizing a leader and it allows people to feel that they're meaningful … and that they're valued.”
The decision allows the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department to continue its design of city hall with input from the Pride Community Center of North Central Florida on how to incorporate the rainbow bricks. The organization, under Fleming’s leadership, helped establish the rainbow crosswalks five years ago.
Commissioners offered their own design suggestions, like repainting the bricks to ensure they’re vibrant and incorporating them in other areas around town.
At the heart of the project is the desire to make all residents feel welcome and promote the city’s rich history, said Commissioner Casey Willits.
Contact Grace Larson at glarson@alligator.org. Follow her on X @graceellarson.
Grace is a first year journalism student, serving as city/county commission reporter for the Fall 2025 semester. While she has not previously been on staff, her early journalism experience can be attributed to Devil's Advocate, her high school newspaper. When she is not writing, Grace enjoys staying active by running, weight lifting, hiking and doing yoga. Her other pastimes include thrifting and working on random art projects.
