A Mission District digital mural, depicting two queer couples and a trans man, was restored for the third time this morning after an as-of-yet unknown individual (or individuals) repeatedly defaced the mural in an apparent attempt to silence the pro-LGBTQ message of the work. The defacement is being investigated as a hate crime by the SFPD. 

The artwork first went up on the side of Galería de la Raza at 24th and Bryant Street earlier this month as part of the arts organization’s celebration of Pride. The piece, done by Los Angeles’ Maricón Collective, compliments a Galería de la Raza photography exhibit titled The Q-Sides which seeks to “challenge long-held assumptions regarding the traditional exclusivity of heterosexuality in lowrider culture.”

After the second defacement of the work, Galería de la Raza issued a statement:

The defacement and re-defacement of the current digital mural by Manuel Paul of Maricón Collective has only proven the credibility of its purpose. Galeria de la Raza believes in the importance of continued dialogue about LGBTQ visibility, awareness, and acceptance in the Mission District and within the greater Latin@ communities. Galería does not condone actions of hate, violence and homophobia and is dedicated to continuing to promote understanding and tolerance through peaceful means. While ignorance and hate may have been expressed by the few, we thank the extraordinarily generous support we have received from the vast majority of the community. We are in the process of organizing a community forum to engage the larger community in the coming days but in the meantime we need to raise funds to fix the current mural.

Restoring the mural has been an expensive undertaking for the gallery, with each effort costing approximately $3,000. If you would like to make a donation in support of Galería de la Raza, you can do so here.