Out In The Streets: Dusty Rebel’s Mural To Celebrate Pride During The COVID-19 Pandemic
A few months ago, I was again offered the 2nd Avenue wall for Pride. Like last year, I wanted to bring in a queer artist, but then we got hit with this horrible pandemic, and all our plans fell through. As the weeks went by, the death toll rose, and most Pride events were cancelled, I knew I wanted to celebrate the queer community and our long history of using the street for performance and protest.
Talking with my friend Katherine ‘Luna Park’ Lorimer about what I should do, she suggested I fill the space with my photos. It never occurred to me—I've documented more murals then I can remember, but never done one myself. And with social distancing, I'd have to do it without help from any of the many mural experts I know.
As went through my archive, I got excited to create something that celebrates historic moments I felt honored to capture: NYC Drag March, kiss-ins, Gays Against Guns, Queer Liberation March, The Dyke March. As I pasted these photos of queer icons, mentors, activists, and friends, I felt you all with me out in the streets.
Thank you Steve Stoppert for the wall and all your support, and to City Kitty for sponsoring, my husband Jason for being my amazing assistant!
More photos: Dusty Rebel, Queer Street Art