"THIS MURAL STILL HAS MEANING"

To the artists and families who were a part of this 24 years ago, "this mural still has meaning," as a testament to the challenges of living with HIV and "an important part of the history of the area and the people who live there," Cervantes notes.

The defacing comes as no surprise, as the mural has never been restored. Repairs of occasional tags and graffiti have been relatively manageable, but this current violation is "huge" and would require much time and material to clean and restore.

"It's become really hard to see the original mural and its unique message about the lives of those with AIDS/ HIV," she says. 

The challenges are many: the wall itself needs repair; a trash bin blocks a section of the mural; the corner has become a frequent homeless encampment. 

District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman has denounced the vandalism, saying "the defacing of the historic mural is one of many awful incidents" along 16th St, which has been "intolerable for years."  

Mandelman promised to approach the building's owners to encourage their cooperation in the restoration effort.

-- Excerpted from Hoodline: Restoration of the Castro's poignant HIV/AIDS mural uncertain after being defaced by graffiti, Dec. 29, 2021. Text and photos by Steven Bracco.