The legendary drag queen and activist is one of a dozen “Queeroes” featured in a new mural from artists Juan Manuel Carmona and Simón Malvaez designed for the SF LGBT Center. Part of its mural project series, it will be installed on the exterior of the Center’s building ahead of Pride month.
For this year’s mural, Juan Manuel approached the Center with a project proposal and brought frequent collaborator Simón onboard to volunteer his talents and ideas. The two local artists represent the Latinx and Queer communities, and the Center notes that their work vibrantly brings attention to their Mexican heritage, Queer identities and the intersection of San Francisco’s LGBTQ+ and Latinx communities.
Titled Queeroes, the mural takes the colors of the Progress Pride Flag and transforms them into a collection of global and local LGBTQ+ heroes who honor their Latinx heritage and have played a pivotal role in shaping LGBTQ+ history, then and now: Sister Roma is joined in by fellow pioneers Chavela Vargas, Freddie Mercury, Frida Kahlo, Harvey Milk, James Baldwin, Juanita More!, Keith Haring, Honey Mahogany, Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera and Willi Ninja.
“When Simón sent me an email about being included in a mural, I thought ‘That’s cool!’ Then I saw the actual project and my mind was blown,” shares Roma. “I didn’t say anything to anyone because I couldn’t believe it. Now the cat’s out of the bag so I guess it’s official, and I am thrilled—but even more humbled. All of these people are truly Queeroes! I have always been the biggest Keith Haring fan, and Freddie was one of the greatest performers and voices of all time. Being included next to brave trans pioneer activists Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera and Harvey Milk is an honor I can barely put into words. But maybe best of all is being immortalized with my dear friends Juanita More! and Honey Mahogany. I apologize in advance for the ridiculous amount of photos and videos of the mural I plan on sharing!”
The artists shared their excitement on social media:
Please join us in celebrating our 2021 artists Juan Manuel and Simón today! Be sure to follow along on our social media channels where we’ll share behind-the-scenes content throughout the week, as Juan Manuel and Simón bring #Queeroes to life.
— SF LGBT Center (@SFLGBTCenter) May 19, 2021
Reflecting on the compounding events borne out of the pandemic and ongoing racial and anti-LGBTQ+ injustices that were exacerbated last year, the artists felt it was an important time to focus on the LGBTQ+ movement by recognizing people who’ve made significant contributions to the community throughout history.
“Ultimately, art is powerful. We hope that this mural awakens curiosity within our community, especially as there will be LGBTQ+ heroes that are recognizable to some, and others that will be completely new to the spectator,” added Simón. “We want to encourage people to learn more about our Queer heroes and their contributions to our community, then and now. Through this mural, we also hope to celebrate the LGBTQ+ movement and invoke love and hope, at a time when we need it most.”
In early 2022, the SF LGBT Center will be holding open applications for community artists to submit their qualifications and proposals for the next installation.
“While one mural could never encompass all the stories of our diverse community, we hope it will serve as a launchpad for all of us to connect, knowledge-share and discover rising Queer heroes in our communities through one another—and we want to spotlight your heroes throughout Pride month!” notes the Center. “Using the hashtag #Queeroes, tag us in social media posts that you’re dedicating to your personal Queeroes or send your photos/dedications to press@sfcenter.org for a chance to be featured on our channels. We’d love to celebrate the people who uplift you!”
Congrats to Roma!
Honey Mahogany? Really??
You clearly do not know Honey Mahogany if you are questioning her inclusion on this mural. She has done a lot for the community. What have you done Anonymous??
This is a SAN FRANCISCO mural, and Honey Mahogany is a big deal to us from not just her drag race career but political. So she deserves to be on that mural, so fuck OFF anonymous.