Celebrate and Uplift the Marginalized History of LGBTQIA+ Rights in the United States.

The Rainbow Heroes Project consists of a series of nine interactive, pedestrian-level murals that will be installed throughout the City of Long Beach.

Each mural will portray a prominent figure from LGBTQIA+ history, highlighting their resilience and determination in advocating for rights and recognition.

To make the experience more immersive, visitors will be invited to stand beneath an adjacent rainbow and capture photographs.

By filling a significant gap in the sharing of our nation’s stories, this project will help educate present and future LGBTQIA+ individuals about the struggles endured by local LGBTQIA+ elders in their fight for equality.

A rendering of the Rainbow Heroes mural concept.

LGBTQIA+ ELDERS

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1. Gilbert Baker

Our first featured LGBTQIA+ Elder is Gilbert Baker, creator of the Rainbow Flag. Baker debuted the Rainbow Flag at San Franciso Pride, June 25, 1978.  It flew over San Francisco City Hall when Harvey Milk worked there. Cleve Jones danced under it. It flew over Mauds and draped from the balcony at Stonewall Inn.

Over the next four decades, his creation would become embraced across the world as the universal symbol of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) movement. 

Read about Gilbert Baker

Call for Nominations

Do know any of the people who are part of LGBTQIA+ history? We are gathering stories, please share your memories with and of them and their impact on you or their impact on Long Beach.

Nominate a Rainbow Hero

Stand beside us as we write history on the walls of Long Beach

Call for Walls

Do you have an available wall or know someone who does? Long Beach property owners have the opportunity to partner with ArtsLB in bridging generations side-by-side as we uplift LGBTQIA+ history in Long Beach.

Walls must meet some criteria, including:

  • Pedestrian-level
  • 20 feet wide minimum
  • 10 ft tall minimum
  • Free of debris
  • Flat surface (cement or stucco is okay)
Nominate a Wall

Rainbow Heroes News & Events

Stand with ArtsLB

Stand with ArtsLB

Today, in partnership with Elders Rising and Long Beach Historical Society, the Arts Council for Long Beach (ArtsLB) announced a new citywide public arts program, Rainbow Heroes. This groundbreaking initiative focuses on telling the stories of LGBTQIA+ Elders through interactive murals that will be placed in all nine (9) City Council Districts. The first honoree will be Dr. Angela Bowen."
Learn More

Rainbow Heroes Announcement Press Release

Download as a PDF

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