Miss Bouvèe (stage name of Eric Swanson), a well-known drag performer in South Florida, launched an unusual fundraising drive that converts a piece of removed public art into tangible support for two local Pride organizations. By offering rescued bricks from Miami Beach’s former rainbow crosswalk for a minimum donation of $250, the queen hopes to raise enough money to keep Naples Pride and Key West Pride events running despite a hostile legislative environment.
From a celebrated crosswalk to reclaimed bricks
The rainbow-painted crossing at 12th Street and Ocean Drive was installed in November 2018 as a vibrant symbol of LGBTQ+ visibility in Miami Beach. Four years later, in October 2025 the Florida Department of Transportation enforced a statewide order that required cities to strip street art from public roadways. Miami Beach challenged the directive without success, and the crosswalk was dismantled. While many of the original tiles were repurposed for a nearby pedestrian pathway, fifty bricks were set aside for public auction.
How the brick fundraiser works
Eric Swanson purchased the fifty bricks at the city auction and immediately turned them into a donation-based fundraiser. Supporters can choose a single brick, a framed rainbow-painted brick, or a framed set of six bricks; every package includes a commemorative plaque that records the crosswalk’s original location and the dates it stood. Donations start at $250 per brick, with all proceeds routed directly to the two Pride groups via links provided by Miss Bouvèe. In an Instagram post she wrote, “This is a part of our history.” and added, “Your donation helps history continue to be made.“
Progress toward the fundraising targets
The campaign has two clear financial goals: $15,000 for Naples Pride and $7,500 for Key West Pride. To date, more than half of the Naples target has already been secured, while $600 has been contributed toward the Key West goal. Donors can arrange pickup, delivery, or shipping of their bricks after the contribution is made, ensuring that each supporter receives a physical reminder of the cause they are backing.
Why the money matters amid Florida’s anti-LGBTQ measures
The fundraiser emerges at a time when Florida lawmakers have intensified pressure on LGBTQ+ visibility. Senate Bill 1143 bars local governments from allocating tax dollars to diversity, equity and inclusion activities, including Pride festivals. Miss Bouvèe emphasised the stakes, stating, “You can’t erase us.” She also highlighted that the bricks help keep local performers employed during Pride, especially in Key West, where the funds are earmarked for a live-performance stage that offers a living wage. In March 2026 the queen joined other drag artists for a hospital sing-along in Naples, underscoring the community-building role of drag beyond fundraising.
By converting a removed symbol of inclusion into a portable piece of history, Miss Bouvèe demonstrates how creative activism can sustain community events even when legislative winds blow against them. Each brick sold not only raises cash but also serves as a tactile reminder that Florida’s LGBTQ+ community refuses to be silenced.
