This poster concept is inspired by the historic “Gay Knights on the Circle” protests at Monument Circle, the first large public queer gathering in Indianapolis. At the time, the organization worked to increase LGBTQ visibility, hoping that solidarity would reduce police harassment and push for stronger action in response to the rising murders of LGBTQ individuals. That moment marked a turning point in both public presence and recognition from the city, and it continues to hold powerful meaning.

Rather than repeating last year’s medieval-themed approach, I chose to move in a more direct symbolic direction using unicorns and horses. The imagery of fighting horses became central to the concept. In the wild, horses only fight when their home base is threatened, when they are protecting their space and their herd. That instinct felt deeply aligned with the current social and political climate, where queer communities are once again defending their rights, safety, and visibility.

Monument Circle has long been a place where our community gathers to be seen and heard. The fact that our markets are now held there annually feels significant. It is both a celebration and a statement. The imagery serves as a symbolic reminder that we have history in this space, and that our continued presence is powerful.

I was given complete creative freedom with this poster, which allowed me to lean into this layered symbolism. The intention is to honor our history, acknowledge the present moment, and create a bold visual declaration of resilience and belonging.