Fountain of Love

This mural honors the love, resilience, and legacy of John Arthur and Jim Obergefell, whose fight for marriage equality transformed history.

After 20 years together, John and Jim married in 2013 aboard a medically equipped plane in Maryland—overcoming immense obstacles to ensure their union was legally recognized before John’s passing from ALS. When they learned Ohio would refuse to recognize their marriage on John’s death certificate at the time he died, John and Jim sought justice, a fight Jim continued after John’s death, culminating in the landmark Supreme Court case Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage nationwide in 2015.

Created on the 10th anniversary of this historic decision, Fountain of Love is a celebration of their devotion and a tribute to the ongoing pursuit of equality and dignity for all. Dedicated during LGBTQ+ History Month, the mural connects Cincinnati’s past and present, honoring the city’s role in this pivotal chapter of civil rights history.

Designed by queer artist Aley Wild and painted by young adult artists from 1001 Colors’ Mural Studio, the mural depicts the joyful 2015 weddings of five queer couples at Cincinnati’s Fountain Square. From the iconic fountain, rainbows spill instead of water, showering the couples in a vivid symbol of love. Each pair is represented with distinct colors, patterns, and motifs, blending into one radiant composition that reminds us: we are strongest when we stand together in community.