Unveiling our new exhibit, Act of Allyship!

To celebrate our beautiful community and honor LGBTQ+ icons, we are excited to announce our partnership with ally and artist Joy Chew and the official unveiling of our new “Act of Allyship” exhibit, which will be opened to the public by appointment only beginning Wednesday, November 8, 2023, at the Center. From November 2023 to January 2024, we will display these art-foiled images of LGBTQ+ Icons on the 2nd floor of the SF LGBT Center.

Image of artist Joy Chew

Joy Chew, founder and owner of Joyous Joyful Joyness, is an incredibly talented San Francisco artist specializing in creating fine art foil prints. “Act of Allyship” both demonstrates Joy Chew’s skills as an artist and, quite literally, highlights important LGBTQ+ icons from San Francisco and worldwide. For folks interested in viewing the exhibit, please get in touch with our Associate Director of Cultural Programs, Timothy Hampton, to schedule a visit at [email protected].

Inspired by the barring of transgender lawmaker Zooey Zephyr from the House floor by Montana Republicans after Zephyr rebuked colleagues supporting a ban on gender-affirming care for children, Joy decided to use her skills in fine art to show up for the LGBTQ+ community. Joy created an art-foiled print of Zooey Zephyr titled “Let Her Speak!” Chew’s first work in the “Act of Allyship” series. “Let Her Speak!” was the voice that Joy wanted to give the artwork she created and donated to the SF LGBT Center.

Together, we created 16 pieces honoring 16 trailblazing LGBTQ+ Icons.

View Instagram Unveiling Reel | View Meet & Greet Photos | Learn more about Joy

From left to right, image of Juanita MORE!, Breonna McCree, Joy Chew, Juan Manuel Carmona, Simón Malvaez, and Timothy Hampton at the Act of Allyship unveiling.

The “Act of Allyship” exhibit features the following LGBTQ+ icons:

Tita Aida

Sister Roma

Breonna McCree

Honey Mahogany

Juanita MORE!

Bayard Rustin

Sylvester

Gladys Bentley

José Sarria

Juan Manuel

Felicia Flames