A love for art and a passion for championing the significance of genuine self-expression is what first brought Barry and Mars of Pride Painting together. Building their company on these core values, the duo has emerged as shining examples for businesses in the local LGBTQ+ community and beyond, placing their identities at the forefront of their brand.
Art has always been at the forefront of the celebration of Pride within the LGBTQ community, from murals to homemade signs. The most famous piece of art within the LGBTQ communities Pride celebrations has easily become the Pride Flag – originally called the Rainbow Flag due to it’s design. Each color of the flag has its own meaning, some have been added and removed as the years progressed. The Pride flag has seen many adaptations throughout the years, but has remained a prominent symbol for unity and diversity within the community.
The Pride Flag as we know it today is based on the original design by Gilbert Baker in 1978. The flag was commissioned by Harvey Milk, a friend of Baker and the first openly gay elected official in the state of California. Harvey Milk was a prominent gay rights activist in San Francisco, and saw a need for a positive symbol to represent the flourishing gay community he would later serve.
Sadly, just five short months after the Pride Flag’s debut at San Francisco Gay Freedom Day in June 1978, Harvey was assassinated alongside Mayor George Moscone by a former city supervisor, Dan White. White would later go on to be charged with voluntary manslaughter, rather than first degree murder, for both victims. This lead to widespread outrage and protests, which helped shine a light on the issue of systemic injustice against people within the LGBTQ+ community. This injustice also solidified Harvey Milk as a symbol of the struggle for equality and representation of marginalized people. His life and work are still celebrated today; this year, California Governor Eleni Kounalakis declared May 22nd, as “Harvey Milk Day.”
Growing up, I would have loved to see a business that wholeheartedly embraced and encouraged self-expression and authenticity, just like Pride Painting does. It’s empowering to connect with your customers in such a meaningful way, especially when you’re entrusted with tasks that involve people’s personal spaces, such as painting a room in their home.
As a woman living with a female partner, the thought of having maintenance or repair work done in our apartment is always anxiety inducing. The thought of whether we need to hide our photos together or other personal items that could reveal our relationship, just to cater to potential homophobia, is nothing short of infuriating. We have to consider the safety implications of granting someone unlimited access to our home and belongings simply because of their potential views towards the LGBTQ+ community. Pride Painting works to fight these anxieties – ensuring their customers are comfortable with who they are inviting into their homes.
Outside of their artistry, Barry and Mars have made connections with the community through their work supporting other local causes. Pride Month is home to their favorite tradition, an interactive mural featured at Pride Painting’s booth at the festival. This year, attendees were invited to to add what Pride means to them by writing or drawing on the piece. These murals have become a beautiful direct connection to the community, and gives the public a chance to connect with a fantastic local business they may not have known about before. Stay tuned for Pride Painting’s future collaboration with Lancaster Pride to create an LGBTQ+ themed exterior mural downtown, currently aimed for Spring 2025!
I asked the creative minds behind Pride Painting for guidance they would offer to fellow LGBTQ+ artists and professionals striving to establish inclusive and inviting environments through their work. Their response beautifully reflects the incredible spirit of this team. I will allow them to conclude this feature in their own words, amplifying the importance of nurturing connections, diversity, and self-expression.
“It’s so important to remain true to yourself. Do the kind of creative work that makes you happy, and your audience or clients will be able to see that kind of genuine expression and love you for it! We’ve made lasting friendships with customers just by chatting about one another’s hobbies, interests, and even gender expression. Finding connections like that is so rewarding as a business owner. Being visible is also very helpful in creating a welcoming atmosphere – even if it’s just a sticker on display or a post on social media – it goes such a long way to make someone feel included.”
Femme Foodie - Lancaster, PA 
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