The Pink Triangle on San Francisco’s Twin Peaks is more than a visual installation—it is a potent and enduring symbol of LGBTQ resilience, visibility, and pride. Every year during Pride Month, this striking piece of public art spans across the hillside and offers both a reminder of a painful history and a declaration of unity and support for queer communities.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Pink Triangle, but unfortunately, it was marred by an act of vandalism that has prompted outrage from city officials and community members alike. The suspect in this case, 19-year-old Lester Bamacajeronimo, was arrested by San Francisco police after being caught allegedly defacing the installation.
A Legacy of the Pink Triangle and Its Importance
The Pink Triangle installation traces its roots back to the early 1990s when it was first introduced by artist and activist Patrick Carney. Designed to occupy a massive space atop Twin Peaks—San Francisco’s second and third highest points—the installation is made up of 175 pink tarps and covers nearly an acre of land.
It’s a significant visual statement that can be seen from across the city, including from the historic Market Street and Castro District. More than just an art project, the Pink Triangle is a profound symbol with deeply rooted historical relevance.
The triangle itself originally held a much darker connotation. During the Nazi regime in Germany, gay men were forced to wear pink triangles on their clothing as a means of identification and stigmatization. At least 15,000 gay men were sent to concentration camps, with an estimated 60 percent dying as a result of horrific treatment and neglect.
In the decades since, the LGBTQ community has reclaimed the pink triangle as a badge of honor and a reminder of what their forebears endured. Today, it serves as both a tribute to those lost and a beacon of ongoing activism.
Lester Bamaca Jeronimo, 19, arrested after officers spot him defacing the Pink Triangle, the Pride month symbol on Twin Peaks, and chase him down, per @SFPD pic.twitter.com/4dXN3MVy2H
— Henry K. Lee (@henrykleeKTVU) June 17, 2025
This installation is especially vital during Pride Month, when San Francisco celebrates its long-standing status as a haven for LGBTQ individuals and as a stronghold of gay rights. The Pink Triangle, installed each June, has become part of the city’s cultural fabric, reminding everyone of the work that remains in the ongoing struggle for equality and acceptance.
The Act of Vandalism and Police Response
Despite its cultural significance and the love many have for the Pink Triangle, it has not been immune to targeted hate and destruction. Over the years, vandals have defaced the installation through various means, including graffiti and even arson. This year, the damage came in the form of spray paint—black lines marred the bright pink canvas, and 26 pieces of tarp were reported damaged by the installation’s founder, Patrick Carney.
The incident occurred on a Tuesday when police received a report that someone was actively vandalizing the structure. Upon arrival, officers pursued the suspect on foot and detained him. The suspect was later identified as 19-year-old Lester Bamacajeronimo, a resident of San Francisco. Authorities stated that they found and seized tools believed to have been used in the vandalism, although formal charges against Bamacajeronimo had not yet been publicly disclosed at the time of the initial reports.
Read : Who is Caitlyn Jenner Who Trapped in Tel Aviv Amid Retaliatory Missile Strikes from Iran?
The San Francisco Police Department released a statement condemning the act in strong terms, calling it “unacceptable in our city.” The statement further emphasized that “San Francisco’s Pink Triangle is a powerful symbol of our city’s commitment to supporting LGBT rights and commemorates victims of the past.” The department also noted that the investigation is ongoing and encouraged anyone with additional information to come forward.
This act of defacement was not isolated, either. Carney mentioned that in addition to the vandalism, anti-transgender stickers were also discovered in the area. Volunteers associated with the installation took immediate action to try and remove or cover the offensive materials. While the spray-painted tarps can be temporarily repaired using pink paint, Carney lamented that the damaged sections would likely need to be fully replaced, a task both labor-intensive and emotionally painful given the significance of the project.
Community Outrage and the City’s Unified Response
The act of vandalism has sparked widespread condemnation across San Francisco, with public officials, community leaders, and citizens expressing deep frustration and sorrow over the incident. San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie issued a statement via social media, declaring, “This hateful act of vandalism does not reflect San Francisco’s values and will not be tolerated.” His words echo the sentiment felt throughout the city—a mixture of anger, disappointment, and resolve.
The LGBTQ community, as well as its allies, rallied together quickly in response. The symbolism of the Pink Triangle is deeply intertwined with the identity of the city and its legacy as a center for LGBTQ rights. For many, to vandalize the triangle is to attack the broader values of inclusivity, tolerance, and respect that San Francisco champions.
Moreover, the recurring nature of these attacks brings into focus the persistent presence of homophobia and transphobia in society. Despite the significant progress made over the past several decades, the existence of hate-fueled actions such as these reminds everyone that the fight for equality is far from over. The defacing of a reclaimed symbol—one born out of historical trauma and transformed into a message of hope—is seen not just as a crime against property but as a symbolic act of violence against an entire community.
Patrick Carney, whose tireless work has helped keep the Pink Triangle a visible and enduring part of Pride celebrations, spoke about the emotional toll these acts take. “It’s disheartening,” he said. “You try to build something meaningful for the community, something positive, and then someone comes along and tries to destroy it.” Yet, Carney and the many volunteers supporting him remain undeterred. Their quick action in repairing the installation speaks volumes about the community’s resilience and unity.
The incident has also reignited discussions about the importance of education, community outreach, and inclusive policy enforcement. Several LGBTQ advocacy groups have used the moment to call for more proactive measures from both the city and state governments in protecting queer spaces and symbols. Others have stressed the need for continued public education about the origins and meanings behind the Pink Triangle, particularly among younger generations who may not be familiar with its painful past and powerful reclamation.
In addition, the case has drawn national attention, with LGBTQ media outlets and mainstream news organizations covering the story. The fact that a 19-year-old—someone born into a world with more LGBTQ rights and visibility than any previous generation—was allegedly behind the vandalism has also prompted deeper reflection on where society still falls short in fostering empathy, acceptance, and understanding.
As the legal process unfolds, many await word on the specific charges that may be filed against Lester Bamacajeronimo. In the meantime, the Pink Triangle remains in place, a little battered but still standing proudly atop Twin Peaks. It continues to watch over the city it calls home, serving as both a tribute to past sacrifices and a symbol of the unbreakable spirit of those who continue the fight for LGBTQ equality.
The hope is that through this painful incident, the community will emerge even more unified, and that the broader public will be reminded of the enduring importance of the Pink Triangle and everything it represents. From its tragic origin during one of history’s darkest chapters to its current role as a bold and bright emblem of pride, resistance, and memory, the Pink Triangle is not just a piece of canvas on a hill—it is a story, a warning, a celebration, and above all, a promise that hate will never win.