19 Portraits: Honoring Black LGBTQ+ Philadelphians

Charlene Arcila

Portrait of Charlene Arcila, 2025, Pencil on poster board, 24 X 20 1/16"

Portrait of Charlene Arcila, 2025, Pencil on poster board, 14 X 11 1/16"

Gift, Prince Anthony Thomas, 2025, Permanent Art Collection, John J. Wilcox, Jr. Archives

Charlene Arcila (1963-2015) was a Black transgender activist in Philadelphia who was very accomplished. She founded in 2000 the Philadelphia Trans Health Conference, a means for bringing health and wellness support to low income communities of trans and gender non-conforming people. Public transportation underwent reform in Philadelphia due to Arcila's activism. She challenged a discriminatory practice by the transit system (SEPTA) of featuring gender markers on fare cards; to explain, fare cards featured a sticker of "M" or "F" as a deterrent against customers who shared cards and caused fare evasion. The deterrent caused problems for fare-paying customers who were trans and gender non-conforming when questioned about their gender identity. Thanks to Arcila's activism, SEPTA's fare cards no longer feature gender markers; as a result, bus and rail operators can no longer deny service for gender identity reasons. Ms. Arcila's legacy also includes her contributions as a faith leader, an educator, and an advocate for the HIV/AIDS community.

Joseph Beam

Portrait of Joseph Beam, 2025, Pencil on poster board, 11 X 14 1/16"

Gift, Prince Anthony Thomas, 2025, Permanent Art Collection, John J. Wilcox, Jr. Archives

Joseph Beam (1954-1988) was a prolific black writer in Philadelphia who identified openly as a gay man, making significant literary contributions in the 1980s for the visibility and acceptance of black gay men. Joseph Beam's short stories, articles, and essays gave a portrayal of how black gay men lived; for example, a lifestyle of living openly versus "Down Low" behavior (DL), and frank discussions of the sexual objectification of black men (fetishization of black men) that intertwined with the racism that was prevalent in white gay culture. These subjects and related topics are discussed eloquently and with frankness in Mr. Beam's anthology called, "In the Life: A Black Gay Anthology" (1986)"; in fact, the anthology continues today to be a great work of black gay literature. His writing, activism, and advocacy helped to establish a feeling of a black gay community during a time when it felt absent and non-existent.

Cei Bell

Portrait of Cei Bell, 2024, Pencil on poster board, 11 X 14 1/16"

Gift, Prince Anthony Thomas, 2025, Permanent Art Collection, John J. Wilcox, Jr. Archives

Cei Bell (1955-2024) self-identified as an intersex and transsexual Black woman. Her legacy spans over 50 years of dedication to artwork, writing, and activism to fight for Black transgender people. As an award-winning writer, Bell effectively used her media coverage and interviews as a means for pressuring law enforcement to be more serious and thorough when investigating hate crimes. The Philadelphia Inquirer and other publications featured several of her opinion pieces and articles. She was outspoken about her opposition of racism and injustice within the trans community.

Anita Cornwell

Portrait of Anita Cornwell, 2023, Pencil on poster board, 14 x 11 1/16"

Gift, Prince Anthony Thomas, 2025, Permanent Art Collection, John J. Wilcox, Jr. Archives

Anita Cornwell (1923-2023) was the first Black female writer to identify in print in the 1950s as a lesbian as per Sinister Wisdom, The Multicultural Lesbian & Literary Art Journal. Of the many contributions of Cornwell as a writer, she wrote a series of essays that were unprecedented at the time of publication; specifically, she exposed herself as a Black lesbian and acknowledged how her identity coincided with daily fights against white supremacy, racism, misogyny, and a status quo of extreme intolerance towards non-heterosexuality. Her essay collection is called, Black Lesbian in White America, published by Naiad Press in 1983. She was an activist and a feminist; also, she was a mentor for many. Although born in Greenwood, South Carolina, most of her life and legacy happened as a resident of Philadelphia; in fact, Cornwell studied journalism at Temple University and graduated in 1948. She was a contributing writer to The Philadelphia Tribune and The Philadelphia Evening Bulletin. She was a writer for many outlets. After her death, an in-person memorial was held at The William Way LGBT Community Center in Philadelphia on Saturday, September 30, 2023.

Helen Dow

Portrait of Helen Dow, 2025, Pencil on poster board, 4 x 11 1/16"

Gift, Prince Anthony Thomas, 2025, Permanent Art Collection, John J. Wilcox, Jr. Archives

Helen Dow's career in the Financial Industry showed achievements and success in her positions of management and training, resulting in her increase of responsibility throughout the Tri-State Area. In addition to her business career from which she retired, she has been a lifelong activist and advocate for human rights and human dignity.

Along with continued service on many community advisory boards, she focuses on capacity building, development, and outreach. Helen was the first black appointed member of the Elder Initiative where she served as Vice Chair and as one of the co-founders. She fulfilled her passion of getting LGBTQ+ elders reconnected to social settings, helping them to become active again while they face their challenge of reestablishing relationships as LGBTQ+ elders.

She was a founding member of The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's Advisory Board for children with Sickle Cell Anemia. For 10 years, she chaired yearly events to raise awareness of the disease. The funds raised at these events supported scholarships for children with Sickle Cell. She is a Life Legacy Member of The National Council of Negro Women and a Life Member of The NAACP. She continues to volunteer in numerous communities and shows no signs of slowing down.

Her philosophy: "Making a positive difference in the lives of others is more rewarding to me than anything."

Andrea Lamour-Harrington

Portrait of Andrea Lamour-Harrington, 2024, Pencil on poster board, 11 X 14 1/16"

Gift, Prince Anthony Thomas, 2025, Permanent Art Collection, John J. Wilcox, Jr. Archives

With a career spanning 44 years in the business of female impersonation, Andrea Lamour Harrington has 58 Beauty titles to her credit. Most recently she was crowned Miss Jersey Gay Pride 2024. But Lamour-Harrington chose not to only show her talents on stage as a beauty queen, she chose a profession in the health field working for the Philadelphia Health Department as an NHBS Field Coordinator. As Mother of the House of Lamour, she and her Husband Douglas Vanlue were spotlighted in the Philadelphia Inquirer. For mentoring and taking care of at-risk LGTBQ+ youth for many years, Lamour-Harrington was in Poz magazine's 100 in 2019. As an entertainer, or an activist, or as a counselor, or as the Reverend, Andrea Lamour-Harrington's main mission is to spread love, healing, understanding, and joy.

Les Harrison

Portrait of Les Harrison, 2025, Pencil on poster board, 11 X 14 1/16"

Gift, Prince Anthony Thomas, 2025, Permanent Art Collection, John J. Wilcox, Jr. Archives

Les Harrison (1942-2020) was a trailblazing Black drag performer whose career spanned over 50 years. Born in Vineland, New Jersey, and raised near 10th and South Streets, Harrison began performing in his teens after frequenting the 5 O’Clock Club. Adopting the stage name Les Harrison, he became known for his glamorous persona and dazzling performances, breaking racial barriers in the city’s segregated nightlife beginning in 1967.

Best known for his acclaimed Shirley Bassey impersonations, Harrison earned the nickname “Philly’s own Shirley Bassey,” captivating audiences with polished routines, sequined gowns, and powerful stage presence. From 1973 to 1975, he toured nationally with his own revue—the only Black drag queen in Philadelphia at the time to do so—accompanied by his then-wife, Frances “Franny” Price, who was his audio/visual technician and life-long friend.

Harrison was also a dedicated community figure, appearing in countless fundraisers across Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey. A skilled costume designer, he crafted not only his own attire but also supported fellow performers and local arts groups. Harrison continued to perform at venues like Bob and Barbara’s into his 70s. He passed away in 2020 from complications of liver cancer. Remembered as a mentor, icon, and nurturing presence, Harrison’s legacy endures. He closed every show with his signature message: “It doesn’t matter who you love or how you love, only that you love.”

Jeffery A Haskins

Portrait of Jeffery A Haskins, Pencil on poster board, 11 X 14 1/16"

Gift, Prince Anthony Thomas, 2025, Permanent Art Collection, John J. Wilcox, Jr. Archives

Jeffery A. Haskins is a graduate of Howard and Columbia University who has held many positions in government, non-profits, and business. He retired as the Deputy Director of Project TEACH at Philadelphia FIGHT Community Health Centers. Reverend Haskins is the Pastor Emeritus of Unity Fellowship of Christ Church Philadelphia. He is a former Recovery Counselor for COMHAR (Community Mental Health, Addiction and Rehabilitation). Haskins is also the Producing Director of PAPA (Producing Association of the Performing Arts) where he has written and starred in his one-man show entitled the 26 Project (when I got to 26, I stopped counting) to deal with the loss of his friends and partner on the 26th day of the month. He is a founding member of the New York State, Black Gay Men’s and Health and Human Service Networks.

He served on the Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disabilities Faith Advisory Board, Pennsylvania Department of Health Integrated Prevention and Care Planning Group, and Sacred Justice a Faith Coalition of Interfaith (LGBTQIA+) Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, Intersexed, Asexual Clergy. Haskins is a former member of the Pennsylvania Department of Health HIV Integrated Planning Council. He is a member of the Philadelphia Department of Health Prevention and Planning Group. He is a Founding Member of the National HIV Aging and Advocacy Network of NMAC and the former Co-Chairman of the TOT (Trainer of Trainers) and serves as the Co-Chair of the LGBTQIA Special Interest Group.

He is a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the William Way LGBT Community Center, the 2024 Inductee Legends Award of Black Pride in Philadelphia. He is the Chief Executive Officer of the Haskins Consultant Firm located in Philadelphia and a founding member of the Pennsylvania Justice Alliance and the Sero Project to combat HIV Criminalization.

Michael S. Hinson Jr.

Portrait of Michael S. Hinson Jr., 2023, Pencil on poster board, 24 X 20 1/16"

Gift, Prince Anthony Thomas, 2025, Permanent Art Collection, John J. Wilcox, Jr. Archives

Michael S. Hinson (1966- 2022) was an advocate, leader, and pillar for the Black LGBTQ+ community in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; specifically, he served the community as an activist, educator, researcher, and leader in administrative capacities. As the founder and director of the COLOURS Organization from 1991 to 2000, he was a key figure in addressing health needs in the Black LGBTQ+ community. His community outreach efforts included HIV prevention and education. He helped strengthen the support system in the community; for example, he helped establish Philly Black Pride in 1999, eventually helping communities in other cities as part of a national effort to establish Black gay pride events. Hinson was a liaison in Mayor John Street's administration, resulting in funding through the liaison to enable assessments and research regarding health needs in the community. Hinson was one of the founders in 2006 of The Black Gay Men's Leadership Council. From 2017 until his death in 2022, he was the president and CEO of SELF, Inc.; here, his contributions addressed emergency housing and transitional housing, aligning with his personal ambitions of helping the homeless. His education includes a Bachelor's degree in Legal Studies from Peirce College and a Masters in Public Administration from Cheyney University of Pennsylvania. He was in the process of completing a Doctorate in Public Administration at Capella University when he passed away in 2022.

Reverend Jeffrey H. Jordan

Portrait of Reverend Jeffrey H. Jordan, 2025, Pencil on poster board, 11 X 14 1/16"

Gift, Prince Anthony Thomas, 2025, Permanent Art Collection, John J. Wilcox, Jr. Archives

Reverend Jeffrey H. Jordan is the Senior Pastor of Whosoever Metropolitan Community Church in Philadelphia. He is a community organizer, teacher, elder and activist. A servant to the community, Pastor Jeff is often called upon to offer a sacred voice of defiance against oppression, injustice and spiritual abuse. He also serves as the spiritual advisor for the Affirming College of Apostles, Prophets and Bishops. In October 2024, this same organization elevated Jordan to the position of Apostle. October 2024 also marked his 30th anniversary at Whosoever MCC and 40th anniversary as an ordained clergy. Pastor Jeff resides with his partner David Pickett and their adorable bichon-poo, Justice.

Celena Morrison-McLean

Portrait of Celena Morrison-McLean, 2025, Pencil on poster board, 11 X 14 1/16"

Gift, Prince Anthony Thomas, 2025, Permanent Art Collection, John J. Wilcox, Jr. Archives

Celena Morrison-McLean is a respected public servant, strategist, and advocate whose career reflects an unwavering commitment to justice, equity, and the advancement of marginalized communities. A proud Black transgender woman, Celena has led transformative efforts across city government, nonprofit spaces, and grassroots movements—creating lasting change for those too often excluded from decision-making.

As Executive Director of the Office of LGBT Affairs for the City of Philadelphia, Morrison-McLean led citywide efforts to strengthen protections, visibility, and resources for LGBTQ+ residents. Under her leadership, Philadelphia became one of the first cities in the nation to declare itself a sanctuary for individuals seeking and providing gender-affirming care—an act of solidarity and safety in the face of growing national attacks on transgender rights. Before stepping into that role, Morrison-McLean served with the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations, where she facilitated conflict resolution and helped investigate and resolve cases of discrimination. Her work involved negotiating equitable outcomes, leading interagency collaborations, and helping institutions identify and correct systemic biases.

Widely recognized for her ability to foster inclusive cultures, Morrison-McLean is known for building collaborative partnerships, designing innovative programs, and empowering historically excluded populations. Her strategic leadership is rooted in empathy, authenticity, and a belief that true equity requires intentional, sustained action at every level of society. She continues to be a trusted voice in equity work, with a passion for mentoring the next generation of leaders and advocating for safe, affirming spaces for all. Celena Morrison-McLean is not only a catalyst for change—she is a model of what transformative, community-rooted leadership looks like in practice.

Bayard Rustin

Portrait of Bayard Rustin, 2024, Pencil on poster board, 14 x 11 1/16"

Gift, Prince Anthony Thomas, 2025, Permanent Art Collection, John J. Wilcox, Jr. Archives

Bayard Rustin (1912-1987) was an openly gay Black man who was an activist and a key figure in the Civil Rights Movement and the 1963 March on Washington; with this mentioned, his sexuality was a target of criticism from participants in the Civil Rights Movement, resulting to roles for him behind the scenes in the movement. Despite the criticism he faced for his sexuality, he was very effective as an adviser and organizer; for example, he organized Freedom Rides and he organized conferences that helped to strengthen Martin Luther King, Jr.'s leadership. He was an advocate for workers’ rights and was a very vocal proponent for racially integrated labor unions. In addition to Rustin's activism and leadership to fight racial discrimination and segregation between the early 1940s and the late 1960s, he addressed other social issues during the 1970s and 1980s; for example, he dedicated himself to humanitarian missions that helped refugees from Vietnam and Cambodia. The subjects of gay rights and human rights constituted much of his public speaking and advocacy during the 1980s. Because Bayard Rustin was born and raised in West Chester, Pennsylvania, his legacy is embraced as part of Philadelphia’s Black LGBTQ+ history. Decades after his death, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama on November 20, 2013.

Naiymah Sanchez

Portrait of Naiymah Sanchez, 2025, Pencil on poster board, 11 X 14 1/16"

Gift, Prince Anthony Thomas, 2025, Permanent Art Collection, John J. Wilcox, Jr. Archives

Naiymah A. Sanchez is an outspoken, proud transgender woman of color from Pennsylvania, an award-winning activist, advocate, humanitarian, and community organizer based in Philadelphia. With over a decade of experience in TLGBQ+ advocacy, she has played a crucial role in advancing the rights and well-being of transgender individuals, particularly those most marginalized by oppressive systems.

Sanchez began her advocacy journey in 2009 after being fired from her job due to anti-transgender discrimination. She then became a member of the Sisterly Love Program Planning Group at the Mazzoni Center, joined GALAEI, took on the role of Program Coordinator for the Trans-Health Information Project, and served as the Transgender Education and Advocacy Coordinator for the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania (ACLU-PA), where she now serves as Senior Organizer. Sanchez also advocates for the decriminalization of HIV and offenses related to sex work, where she has worked with Pennsylvania lawmakers to repeal outdated, stigmatizing laws and promote harm reduction strategies.

Sanchez co-organized the Philly Trans March from 2012 to 2015 and helped host the 2016 LGBT Task Force - Creating Change Conference, the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ gathering, when it was held in Philadelphia. She made history as the first transgender woman appointed to the Philadelphia Mayor’s Police Oversight Commission in 2017. Later, she was appointed by Governor Tom Wolf to serve on the Pennsylvania Commission on LGBTQ Affairs. Sanchez currently serves as Co-Chair of the University of Pennsylvania HIV Clinical Trials Unit, Co-Chair of TransYOUniting Pittsburgh, and is a dedicated instructor for the Monica Roberts Freedom School.

In recognition of her leadership and lasting impact, Sanchez was named to Out Magazine’s Out-100 annual list. Naiymah Sanchez’s unwavering commitment to intersectional justice and community empowerment continues to inspire and drive meaningful change within and beyond the TLGBQ+ community.

Tyrone Smith

Portrait of Tyrone Smith, 2024, Pencil on poster board, 24 X 20 1/16"

Portrait of Tyrone Smith, 2024, Pencil on poster board, 14 x 11 1/16"

Portrait of Tyrone Smith, 2024, Pencil on poster board, 14 x 11 1/16"

Gift, Prince Anthony Thomas, 2025, Permanent Art Collection, John J. Wilcox, Jr. Archives

Tyrone Smith (1942-2025) self-identified by saying, "I'm an unapologetically gay Black man"; to give context, he said this as an elder at the age of 82. Before leaving this world, he shared as an elder some facts about his life; for example, the segregated gayborhood in Philadelphia was described as it existed in the 1970s, explaining why the bars north of Market St. were the choice of Black gay patrons in lieu of bars on Locust St. and Spruce St. Smith's legacy didn't stop with the stories about the Black bars on Arch St.; meaning, his legacy is defined by his leadership and advocacy in the Black gay community, noting his outreach to the community during the beginning of the AIDS epidemic in Philadelphia, PA. His advocacy included an insistence on dignified and better treatment in hospitals for Black AIDS patients, noting Tyrone Smith's bedside advocacy for Black AIDS patients. He co-founded Unity, Inc., a grassroots organization for outreach and HIV/AIDS prevention within the Black gay community. Unity, Inc. redirected attention in the 1980s from a spotlight that was only casted on Philadelphia’s white gay community regarding the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Smith co-founded and supported many organizations; also, he was a unifying element who was a friend and ally to people regardless of their race, color, or background. Tyrone Smith was a testament to how Philadelphia’s Gayborhood has evolved, changing from a segregated community to one of inclusivity; however, the transition is still in progress and concerns exist today of a rollback and/or a long way to go for progress.

Prince Anthony Thomas

The Grind of Making Woke Art (Self Portrait), 2025, Pencil on poster board, 11 X 14 1/16"

Gift, Prince Anthony Thomas, 2025, Permanent Art Collection, John J. Wilcox, Jr. Archives

Mr. Prince Anthony Thomas (b. 1967) is a gay artist of color with self-taught drawing skills, who started at a very early age. At five years old, his idiosyncrasy was to use his photographic memory to draw detailed likenesses of Greyhound buses of the 1960s and 1970s (he was crazy about these buses); in fact, he'd mimic their mechanical sound effects while drawing them. When looking back on his life and measuring the maturation of his drawing skills and subject matter, the exceptional growth is attributed to: a BA Degree from Penn State, life skills and life's experiences, corporate jobs, volunteerism, and a career in social services. His love of nude male drawings by Douglas Simonson was a motivation; to explain, Simonson's drawing technique of detailed crosshatching was an inspiration to Prince, motivating his self-taught practice of crosshatching and texturing when rendering detailed drawings in pencil. This transition in Prince's drawing style happened in the late 1990s and was a start to commissioned work for clientele such as: animal rescue enthusiasts, car enthusiasts, LGBTQ+ community advocates, and people in need of portraits for personal gifts. Prince says, "These days, I think about my audience and I package my visual content to meet their needs while also staying true to myself and my passions".