Bimini Bon Boulash tribute mural destroyed in apparent act of vandalism
The Drag Race UK star has responded by saying "queer voices will never be silenced."
By Will Stroude
Words: Will Stroude
A mural of Drag Race UK star Bimini Bon Boulash painted in Norwich has been destroyed in an apparent act of vandalism just days after it was created
The artwork on a wall of the city’s Pottergate underpass was originally painted on Wednesday (24 March) by local artist Knapple and transgender activist Sharpay Salazar.
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The hand-painted image of non-binary Bimini sporting their Norwich City Football Club look from Drag Race UK’s ‘hometown look challenge’ included a transgender Pride flag and the words “Bimini babes watch the queen conquer… whether you’re he, she, or them! #TransRights.”
On Sunday morning (28 March), the mural was found destroyed, having been painted over in an apparent act of vandalism.
Discarded paint and rollers were found nearby, the BBC reports.
Bimini took to Twitter later on Sunday to declare that “queer voices will never be silenced” and that they feel sorry for those who feel “threatened or intimidated by a message portraying love, positivity and kindness.”
People still ask why we need a pride? #TransIsBeautiful #transrights pic.twitter.com/CIuTH667eV
— BIMINI! (@biminibabes) March 28, 2021
Sharing an image of the mural as it appeared before the apparent attack and one after, Bimini wrote: “People still ask why we need a pride? #TransIsBeautiful #transrights”.
The 26-year-old performer went on: “I will never stop being myself. I’ll never shy away from living an authentically queer experience even if there are people that disagree with our existence. Trans rights are human rights and I will push that message until the end.
“I don’t feel anger, I have sympathy. I feel sorry for the people who felt threatened or intimidated by a message portraying love, positivity and kindness.”
Salazar, who had helped create the mural last week, responded to Bimini on Twitter, writing: “these few days have been such a whirlwind. so sad that this piece was the victim of a transphobic attack trying to silence queer voices.
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“i’m so happy that you managed to see it and allowed my message to spread nationally. thank you for the bottom of my heart Growing heart #TransIsBeautiful.”
Bimini in turn replied offering support to the mural’s heartbroken co-creator, tweeting: “Go and give @shxrp_ie the love she deserves. She created this beautiful mural and had to witness it be vandalised by ignorant people.
“Never let this diminish your shine! This mural honestly meant a lot to me so thank you for your art. Queer voices will NEVER be silenced!”