A Sign to Safe Haven in West Hollywood During the AIDS Crisis – StoryCorps

Report on the West Hollywood Sign and Its Significance in Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

In the mid-1980s, the newly incorporated City of West Hollywood received a unique gift from an artist: a version of the iconic Hollywood sign customized for the city. This landmark has since become a symbol of identity and belonging for the community.

Historical Context and Community Impact

Paulo Murillo, who was a boy at the time, shared his personal connection to the West Hollywood sign during an interview with StoryCorps alongside his husband, Kevin Chase. The sign represented a beacon guiding him toward a place where he felt he belonged.

Visual Documentation

• Unveiling of the West Hollywood Sign (1986): A black-and-white photograph captures the moment of the sign’s unveiling, illustrating its early significance to the community. (Photo courtesy of Sallie M. Fiske Papers and Photographs/ONE Archives at the USC Libraries)
• Paulo Murillo in the Early 1990s: Another photograph shows young Paulo Murillo overlooking Santa Monica Boulevard from a rooftop, symbolizing his connection to West Hollywood. (Photo by Steven DeFalco, courtesy of Paulo Murillo)
• StoryCorps Interview (2025): Kevin Chase and Paulo Murillo were interviewed in West Hollywood, reflecting on the sign’s ongoing importance. (Photo by Ryan Doyle for StoryCorps)

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The story of the West Hollywood sign aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, emphasizing community, inclusion, and cultural preservation:

1. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The sign symbolizes a commitment to creating inclusive, safe, and resilient urban spaces where diverse communities can thrive.
   • It fosters a sense of place and identity, contributing to social cohesion within West Hollywood.
2. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • By representing a welcoming environment for all, including marginalized groups, the sign promotes social inclusion and equality.
   • Paulo Murillo’s narrative highlights the importance of safe spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals, aligning with efforts to reduce inequalities.
3. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • The preservation and sharing of local history through StoryCorps interviews contribute to lifelong learning and cultural education.
4. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
   • Documenting community stories supports transparent, inclusive decision-making and strengthens community institutions.

Partnerships and Support

• The StoryCorps interview series was conducted in partnership with StoryCorps Studios and the City of West Hollywood, demonstrating collaborative efforts to preserve cultural heritage.
• Support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the National Endowment for the Arts highlights the role of public funding in promoting arts and community engagement.

Conclusion

The West Hollywood sign stands as more than a landmark; it is a symbol of community identity, inclusion, and sustainable urban development. Its story underscores the importance of cultural landmarks in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those focused on building inclusive, resilient, and sustainable communities.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The article discusses the City of West Hollywood, its cultural identity, and community heritage, which relates to making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
2. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • The article highlights storytelling and community memory through StoryCorps, which supports inclusive decision-making and cultural preservation.
3. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • The preservation and sharing of personal histories and cultural heritage can be linked to lifelong learning and education about community identity.
4. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • The article implies inclusion and belonging, particularly for marginalized communities (e.g., LGBTQ+ community in West Hollywood), which relates to reducing inequalities.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.4: Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage.
   • Target 11.7: Provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible green and public spaces.
2. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.
   • Target 16.10: Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms.
3. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • Target 4.7: Ensure that all learners acquire knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including cultural understanding.
4. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicators related to SDG 11
   • Proportion of local governments that adopt and implement policies for cultural heritage preservation (implied by the city’s efforts to maintain its identity through the sign and community stories).
   • Access to public spaces and cultural landmarks (implied by the significance of the West Hollywood sign as a community symbol).
2. Indicators related to SDG 16
   • Number of participatory community storytelling or oral history projects (implied by StoryCorps partnership with the city).
   • Public access to cultural and historical information (implied by the broadcast and archiving of community stories).
3. Indicators related to SDG 4
   • Inclusion of cultural heritage and community history in educational programs (implied through StoryCorps’ educational value).
4. Indicators related to SDG 10
   • Measures of social inclusion and representation of marginalized groups in community narratives (implied by Paulo Murillo’s story of belonging).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: storycorps.org