Vanguard Sweep, 2016, Ink and Watercolor on Dura-lar, poster 68” x 48”

Gay and transgender youth in San Francisco’s Tenderloin formed Vanguard to protest discrimination and to support an emerging LGBT community. Vanguard’s 1966 cleanup of Market Street made tongue-in-cheek reference to “street sweeps” of homeless youth by police.

“People were beaten down by their environment, by being called names, by being told they were worthless, by families that threw them out. I started Vanguard as an opportunity where people could stand their ground.” –Vanguard Co-Founder Adrian Ravarour

Courtesy GLTB Historical Society