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About The Owner
About The Owner
I'm Liam Yesko, the owner of the now-famous Haltom City Rainbow House! Much like most of you, on the day to day I work a full time job, do chores, take care of my elderly Mother and 2 cats, Mr. Nimbus and Lady Cucumber. I also have hobbies - I have over 20 years of experience with a sewing machine, I love woodworking, the Pokémon game franchise, and bicycling! I'm also pretty decent at American Sign Language, and have over 10 years of practice. My favorite band is No Doubt, but I also love EDM and R&B music. I'm also a "maximalist" who loves funky, wild decorations!
I just so happen to also be a gay man; it's an unchosen part of who I am, but it's not "WHO" I am, in spite of having a big rainbow house.
Spiritually, I am of the Wiccan faith - thus the pentacle on my house. Our beliefs center around the cycles of the Earth and Moon, as well as reverence for the 5 elements that make up all things in this life (earth, air, fire, water and spirit.) My sincerely held beliefs bring me peace, comfort and community. Unfortunately I need to also point out (to those who don't know how to use Google) that in no way is my faith evil/sinister, nor is it something to be ashamed of. I'm proud to have found this path of inner peace, even if it isn't the same path as many of us!
In that same breath, I'd like to point out that though I personally don't believe in Christ as a deity, I do love his overall message. You don't need to have a specific label to live a life of Christ. Taking care of others, showing grace, and loving your neighbor through community is what truly makes a good person. I try to live that message every day, even if I call it by a different name.
I love exactly who I am, down to the love handles, and I don't turn down my volume to make others more comfortable. I take pride in my accomplishments in spite of the barriers I've faced in life, as all of us should! That is what "pride" is truly about.
More about me: I'm originally from Maryland, but moved to Texas in 2018 for personal reasons. Since I've come here, I've fallen in love with Texas' friendly people, diverse culture, excellent cuisine and overall charm. However, it's become clear to me over the years that the famous Texas friendliness doesn't always extend to all people - and that doesn't sit right with me. Coming to Texas showed me a lot of things, including highlighting my own biases that I had against southern and conservative folks, particularly Christians and Republicans. I've learned that each person (even those I disagree with) are unique individuals, each with the capacity to be a good person. I've also learned that there are those who truly follow Jesus' teachings, and those who use it as a weapon against people that they don't want to understand.
No matter who you are, what you believe, or where you're from; the truth to a happy life is to love others, share kindness and believe in yourself. That is what Texas and her wonderful citizens have taught me, and I hope to share that message with you too!
My hope with the rainbow house is to be a beacon of love and hope, as well as embrace for all of my neighbors - yes, even those whom we don't agree with. I'm looking forward to enhancing the Haltom City community by starting conversations that haven't been had, and offering welcome to those with positive intent. Come by any weekend from 10am-4pm if you ever need a friend!
Peace and Love from The Rainbow House!
The Story of the Haltom City Rainbow House
The Story of the Haltom City Rainbow House
The house at the time of purchase, June 2024
The house, just before rainow paint, May 2026
The Haltom City Rainbow House was built in 1933, and purchased by Liam Yesko in 2024 for $175,000. At the time of purchase, the house was nothing notable - covered in a beige stone facade and brown shingle siding, no fence, and wrought iron railing on the front porch. Since then, Liam has made several improvements to the property, including a screened in porch, fence, picnic slab and - of course - its signature rainbow paint.
In 2024, Governor Greg Abbott ordered the removal of rainbow, Black Lives Matter, and other decorative crosswalks across Texas, directing the Texas Department of Transportation to eliminate "non-standard" road markings. Cities such as Dallas faced threats of losing state and federal road funding if they did not comply with the federal traffic safety standards. In March 2024, Dallas complied with the mandate in the Oak Lawn neighborhood, a notoriously LGBTQ+ hot spot, and removed their rainbow crosswalks.
However, a crosswalk is more than just a crosswalk when it is painted rainbow. It is a known symbol of hope and acceptance for LGBTQ+ people worldwide. The decision to remove "non-standard" road markings was viewed by many, including Liam, as an unfounded political jab at the LGBTQ+ community during an election year.
As a result of this decision, Liam had the idea; since his house is not in an HOA, and has a lot of visibility with two undeveloped lots just north of the property, let's supplement what was removed through painting his own house. So, the idea for the "Paint My House Rainbow" project was born. Phone calls were made to City Hall to confirm if permits were needed to paint the house, and Liam was told that permits were only needed if the siding of the house were being replaced, but not painted. The project, now green-lit from City Hall, was ready to kick off.
The "Paint My House Rainbow" Project
The "Paint My House Rainbow" Project
Within 2 months, almost $700 was raised for the project. The funds would be used to purchase paint, painting tools, and other supplies needed for the volunteers to complete the mission. Additional supplies, like ladders, were brought by the volunteers themselves. Approximately 20 volunteers committed their time to support painting the house over a single weekend.
The painting began on May 29th, 2026. The first day consisted of all white paint, with a focus on the screened porch, and a single horizontal stripe around the rest of the house. Stenciling was also completed on the first day, allowing the volunteers over the rest of the weekend to quickly identify which color was to go where.
Volunteers protecting the screened porch from paint drippings.
Liam Yesko, homeowner, painted the very first stripe of white paint.
Volunteers painting the white horizontal stripe with guidance from colored stenciling.
The finished portion of the house on the first day.(May 29th, 2026)
On May 30th, 2026, Liam cooked breakfast for the volunteers to kick off the biggest day of the project. After everyone was acquainted and fueled for the day, the yellow paint can was opened first to start at the highest point and work our way down the sides of the house.
The Public Takes Notice
The Public Takes Notice
As volunteers came and went throughout the day, the majority of the house was completed, and the public started to take notice of the project. Cars honked their horns, and strangers stopped by to offer their opinions and share their stories. The overwhelming majority of the attention was positive, with only a few drive-by slurs shouted at the volunteers.
Volunteers painting the first yellow stripe around the house.
Volunteers painting the shingle siding. Some came from as far away as Austin, Texas to support the project.
The majority of the house was painted by the end of the day.(May 30th, 2026)
On the third and final day, May 31st, 2026, additional stripes were completed and details were refined. By the end of this day, the most visible portions of the house were finished, and the project was successful, just in time for LGBTQ+ Pride Month.
Volunteers finishing up the front of the house, painting missed stripes and sharpening lines.
View of the north-facing portion of the house on Day 3.(May 31st, 2026)
The street facing view of the house after the 3rd day.
Post-Completion
Post-Completion
By June 1st, the project was completed and a dedicated Facebook page, "The Haltom City Rainbow House" was created to give the public a way to express their feelings and connect with Liam. Shortly thereafter, visitors started to arrive for photos around the clock. Due to the volume of attention gathered by the project, visiting hours were established to allow privacy at the residence.
The project also caught the attention of several news outlets, including The Dallas Morning News and Fort Worth Report, among others. Members of the press and social media influencers came to the house to hear from Liam about the project first hand, and published stories and videos.
During Trinity Pride 2026 in Fort Worth, Liam got the chance to meet several members of the community who expressed joy about the project, told their stories, and vowed support of the house.
What's next?
What's next?
Today, The Haltom City Rainbow House stands colorful and bright, serving as a beacon of "good vibes" for the Haltom City area. Due to the attention gathered, Liam decided to take the idea of a rainbow house a step further, now hosting community gatherings for various events and participating in various initiatives to better the Haltom City community.
On July 5th, 2026, Liam received a visit from Mayor Pro Tem Kyle Hantz and was gifted with the Haltom City official City Hall challenge coin as a gesture of appreciation and approval on behalf of the city of Haltom City.
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