Philly LGBT Murals

Street art is no longer rejected as merely deleterious graffiti or vandalism, but rather, it can be the source of civic pride, public artistry, and outdoor engagement in cities across America. Strategically placed art—on the side of a business, under a bridge, on the exterior walls of a community center—not only helps with the beautification of a neighborhood but can be a return of investment for commerce.

 

Further, a traveler who seeks out street murals will be rewarded with insights into a city’s social, cultural, or political dynamics as well as the artistic aesthetics of a particular neighborhood. What was once counterculture, displayed on the societal margins, has through the decades evolved many times over to include a viable form of public art that can contribute to the success of communities and businesses in an ever-changing urban environment.

The Philadelphia LGBT+ community is rich with history and heroes and we are proud to chronicle our stories as art!

Trans and nonbinary icons

Two murals celebrating transgender and nonbinary Philadelphians will soon be installed in the city — one on the facade of Philly AIDS Thrift in Queen Village and the other on the side of Cake Life Bake Shop in Fishtown. The murals are the culmination of a partnership between Mural Arts’ Porch Light program and West Philadelphia’s Morris Home, the only recovery program in the U.S. for trans and gender-nonconforming individuals. 

Gloria Casarez Tribute (former)

A developer painted over a mural honoring Philly LGBTQ icon Gloria Casarez. A queer street artist put up a new one just 50 feet away.

Philadelphia Muses

Philadelphia Muses has remained one of our most iconic projects since its creation in 1999. Intended as a contemporary interpretation of the classical muses,

Lil Nas X

A 36-foot-tall mural outside the Writer’s Block Rehab bar in Philadelphia’s Gayborhood was created over the past few weeks. The three-story mural is mirrored after Lil Nas X’s iconic looks from the popular and controversial music video to “Montero (Call Me By Your Name).” It also carries a soothing cool color palette full of blues, purples, and soft pinks.

We the Youth

Mural Arts has restored We the Youth, a mural created by iconic gay pop artist Keith Haring. Originally created in 1987, it is the only Keith Haring collaborative public mural remaining intact and on its original site.

Gloria Casarez

Beautiful new mural by Philly-based artist Symone Salib honors the late LGBTQ+ leader and activist, Gloria Casarez at GALAEI on Fontain Street at Howard Street in Norris Square!

Pride and Progress

The artwork occupies the entire west wall of the William Way Center, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender community center in Philadelphia.

Gloria Casarez (former)

Gloria Casarez (1971 – 2014) was an American civil rights leader and LGBT activist born and raised in the Kensington neighborhood of North Philadelphia, then Westmont, New Jersey.