LGBTQ+ trailblazers honored in a beautiful new mural in this US city
“In Pride, In Power, In Memory”, by Santiago Galeas, features five late queer leaders.
Mark
Philadelphia is the home of a stunning new mural dedicated to the memory of five local LGBTQ+ advocates and beloved individuals.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil “In Pride, In Power, In Memory” took place at the end of Pride Month. Mural Arts Philadelphia commissioned the artwork. Since 1984, the organization has grown to become the nation’s largest public art program. It engages with around 50-100 different art projects every year.
This one is by artist Santiago Galeas. It’s located on the side of Voyeur Nightclub on 1221 Saint James St., in the heart of the city’s gayborhood.
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Never forget
The individuals featured are Gloria Casarez, Michael S. Hinson Jr., Nizah Morris, Dawn Munro, and Tyrone Smith. Alongside each is a flower, representing their legacy.
Gloria Casarez (1971–2014) was a civil rights leader and community organizer who co-founded the youth-led Entity Shelters and Philly Dyke March. A proud lesbian and Latina, she rises above golden marigolds.
Not only do the flowers represent a spiritual bridge to the afterlife in Mexican culture, but as her wife, Tricia Dressel, noted at the ribbon-cutting ceremony, they are hardy perennials, just like the LGBTQ+ community.
Michael S. Hinson, Jr. (1966–2022) was an LGBTQ+ AIDS and housing insecurity advocate, founder and former executive director of the Colours Organization, CEO of human services agency SELF, Inc., and the co-founder of Philly Black Pride. He was also the founder and first chair of the Black and Gay Men’s Leadership Council.
Nizah Morris (1955–2002) was a Black transgender entertainer and is the namesake of Philadelphia’s Morris Home. She died under mysterious circumstances after being found critically injured on a street in Centre City, Philadelphia. No one has ever been charged over her death.
Dawn Munro (d. 2019) was a scientist, dedicated organizer for Trans Day of Remembrance, and longtime trans activist. She was also a performer at Voyeur.
Tyrone Smith, who died on February 18, 2025, aged 82, was an award-winning LGBTQ activist, AIDS awareness advocate, community leader, consultant, mentor, and adviser to two Philadelphia mayors. He co-founded the Black Gay Men’s Leadership Council.
“Each one of us is a part of them”
Local councilmember Rue Landau was among those to speak at the mural’s ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“These people and the work that they did are the reason that I can stand up here today as the first openly LGBTQ councilperson ever in the city of Philadelphia and the reason I can confidently say I will not be the last,” Landau said.
“Today, the memories of these folks are immortalized in this mural — and it’s not just about them,” she said. “Each one of them and their stories are there to send a message to all of us. It is all of us who are depicted in this mural. Each one of us is a part of them, and each one of them are a part of us, and that will continue on forever.”
“Not going anywhere”
As for the inclusion of flowers, artist Santiago Galeas told Billy Penn, “Every flower that I’ve selected for the person honors them — you’d lay flowers at a grave site or you could also throw flowers onto a stage after a beautiful performance.”
Galeas says that he spoke with the loved ones of those he depicted when designing the mural. Besides Casarez and her marigolds, Morris’s image features a lotus flower, to reflect her Buddhist faith.
Smith’s flower is a lupine. It’s a tall bloom that thrives in difficult conditions and restores the soil around it.
Monro hailed from Scotland before moving to Philadelphia. She rises above thistle, the country’s national flower. You don’t mess around with the fierce and bristly thistle, and the same could be said of Monro.
Hinson has a sunflower. Friends remembered him as someone who would always turn to face the light, even in adversity.
Connecting and surrounding the five are golden ginkgo tree leaves.
“The ginkgo is ancient and resilient, very much like queerness itself,” Galeas said. “It’s this thing that’s been around forever, and like, it’s not going anywhere, right?”
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