Mural of two men kissing in Amsterdam by street artist Judith de Leeuw

With a towering 13.5-meter mural of two men kissing in the heart of Amsterdam, internationally renowned street artist Judith de Leeuw (JDL Street Art) aims to foster acceptance of gay love by making it a permanent part of the cityscape. De Leeuw points to the reluctance of numerous building owners to host this artwork on their facades as proof of how essential this message still is.

The mural, titled ‘Behind the Rainbow,’ will be visible starting November 5 on the facade of a building at the corner of Vijzelgracht and Weteringschans. De Leeuw was surprised by the challenge of finding a location for the artwork. “They say Amsterdam is the LGBTQ+ capital of the world, a place where everyone can be themselves, but that’s not true. I approached dozens of walls, and while the owners wanted a mural by me, they didn’t want two men kissing. A man and woman would have been fine,” De Leeuw explains. “I was just about to give up when someone called, inviting me to make the mural there.”

An Everyday Scene in Amsterdam

According to De Leeuw, street art can help change how people view same-sex love. “Thousands of people pass by this mural daily. They don’t choose to see it, but they are exposed to it. This adds a new element to Amsterdam’s cityscape that aligns with our society,” says De Leeuw. “We want young gay people to walk past the mural and say, ‘This is me. I exist, and I am allowed to exist—even in public.’” In the future, she hopes to use her murals to draw attention to other groups within the LGBTQ+ community.

Photo caption: Mural of two men kissing in the heart of Amsterdam by Judith de Leeuw (JDL Street Art), promoting acceptance of gay love. Photo credits: Patrick Post.

Persistent Prejudice

The image of two men kissing was chosen based on statistics about Dutch attitudes toward homosexuality. According to CBS data, in 2023, 24 percent of gay men and 21 percent of lesbian women experienced discrimination. International research reveals that one in five Dutch people feels discomfort with the idea of two men being intimate, and only 56 percent do not find it troubling. Additionally, one in four is put off by men kissing in public. “In effect, nearly half of the Netherlands is telling gay men, ‘I don’t want to see this; hide yourselves,’” De Leeuw says.

The Netherlands’ First AI Mural

JDL utilized artificial intelligence (AI) in designing the mural, making it the first AI-driven mural in the Netherlands. De Leeuw employed an algorithm to generate fictional portraits from thousands of images of gay men found online, which serve as the backdrop for the kissing couple. She then painted the entire artwork on the wall herself.

Celebrating Love

The two men in the mural are real people, and one of the models has encountered insults when walking with his boyfriend on the street. He anticipates that some people might react negatively to the image but views this as a positive outcome: “It sparks a conversation. People need to start seeing this as normal. Love between two people is something to celebrate. Everyone has the right to be themselves and find love. Hatred and discrimination only harm you and others,” he says.

This project was made possible thanks to the support of AFK, the Alliantie, and contributions from the Culture Fund, Gerken Hoogwerker Verhuur, Yart Factory, Vloeren Coatings, and Mail & Female.

About JDL Street Art

Judith de Leeuw began creating murals at the age of fifteen and has become one of the world’s most recognized street artists. Her work can be seen in 41 countries, and her portrait of Amy Winehouse on a wall in Amsterdam gained worldwide attention. She has won numerous international awards and has exhibited alongside street art legends like Banksy and Keith Haring. Earlier this year, the Close-Up documentary ‘JDL Behind the Wall’ was broadcast on NPO1 by AVROTROS, telling her story. More information can be found at: jdlstreetart.com.

Header photo caption: Mural of two men kissing in Amsterdam by street artist Judith de Leeuw (JDL Street Art), promoting acceptance of gay love. Photo credits: Patrick Post.