A new mural sponsored by the UK Government to champion the UK's core values of equality and inclusion was unveiled today above the Little Gay Pub in central Washington, D.C.
The "GREAT Love is for Everyone" Mural, co-designed by local muralist Lisa Marie Thalhammer, British Embassy Washington and the Little Gay Pub, spotlights the UK's "GREAT Love" international campaign which celebrates the LGBTQIA+ community and the UK's values of equality and inclusion.
Dame Karen Pierce, British Ambassador to the United States said, "The core values of equality and inclusion that America and Britain share are now immortalised on this wall for years to come. We hope the mural brings a smile to everyone's face and makes everyone feel at home.
The "Great LOVE is for Everyone" UK Legacy Mural portrays a bouquet of rainbow flowers cascading down from an iconic British telephone booth. The Rose of England, the Thistle of Scotland, the Daffodil of Wales and Shamrock of Northern Ireland all come together atop the entrance to the Little Gay Pub in Washington, D.C.
The artist Lisa Marie, who is famous in the U.S. Capital for "The LOVE Mural," a design which she is currently painting across all 50 states and beyond, views her colour palette as a "flag of humanity". Her rainbow colour choices are influenced by both the gay pride flag and ancient understandings of colour as harmonizing healing energy, promoting peace, wellness and abundance. Her use of the iconic British telephone booth refers to communication and the importance of proclaiming these positive cultural values and our respect for the beautiful diversity of our whole human family and our world.
In 2012, the British Embassy in Washington became the first foreign government body to participate in Washington, D.C.'s Capital Pride Parade, a tradition we're proud to continue to this day. This past year, the embassy's pride theme of 'Come Together' included a partnership with Netflix to celebrate LGBT+ British talent and stories. The stars of Netflix's Heartstopper cast joined the Ambassador, embassy staff and members of defence staff on the float.
The mural is sponsored by the Great UK Challenge Fund, operating as part of the GREAT Campaign, which showcases the very best of the UK.
