Shana Nys Dambrot This image encapsulates all the intersecting aspects of the story and is striking and clear in its message—but at the same time is more than activism, it's also a finely crafted work of art full of splendid details and an aesthetic engagement that encourages spending time with the image, which gives the meaning at its core more time to unfold.
This street portrait captures drag performer and human rights activist, Nakayla Rose, standing bold in downtown St. Louis, Missouri, at the annual Pride celebration. In the midst of nationwide rollbacks of LGBTQ rights, people still showed up, stood up, and made their joy resistance. It's a testament that rain or shine, through every change, folks remain proud, resilient, and unapologetic.