<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Sometimes life imitates art, and sometimes stationery imitates life to generate new understandings, new connections — and a collective strength that was there all along. That was certainly the case for queer designer Luke Gasbarro of <a href="https://www.lucasano.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lucasano Creative</a>, based in Washington, D.C. Last year, as Luke saw Pride crosswalks being painted over and removed across the country, he channeled his frustration in the healthiest way possible &#8230; creating a duo of interactive cards.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-video"><video height="1080" style="aspect-ratio: 1920 / 1080;" width="1920" controls src="https://thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/LUCASANO_PRIDE-GREETING-CARDS_PROMO-01_16-9_low-res_textless.mp4"></video></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The Pride Ally Card (shown above) and Our Pride Card (shown below) allow recipients to physically &#8220;paint Pride back&#8221; — ;over and over! — ;by sliding a paint roller tab to reveal a familiar rainbow. Each is a dynamic, luxe reminder that Pride cannot be erased by paint, policy, or politics — ;and each allows individuals to restore what others systematically attempted to cover up, over and over again. It&#8217;s heavyweight, it&#8217;s heartfelt, and it&#8217;s impeccably presented — ;like all of Luke&#8217;s creations. What a powerful paper rebellion, all tucked in an envelope and carried to its destination by a mighty Forever Stamp.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/OPC_MASTER_HALF-OPEN_HORT.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-10021691"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">&#8220;Pride crosswalks have always been a symbol of belonging,&#8221; Luke wrote me. &#8220;The purpose of a crosswalk is to help keep people safe and protected from danger, which is beautiful when you think about it because Pride crosswalks take on this added meaning: LGBTQIA+ people are seen and welcome in the community. The removal of these crosswalks was never really about road safety. If it were, these states would be banning highway billboards.&#8221;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/OPC_MACRO_COLORS_3-2_HORT.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-10021688"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">When Pride colors started disappearing from public spaces, it was about more than paint. These cards counter efforts to erase LGBTQIA+ visibility, expression, and identity. Each is a physical (and tactile) reminder that a community and its Pride cannot simply be covered up and forgotten.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/OPC_MACRO_PRIDE_3-2_HORT.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-10021689"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">There are a lot of luxe printing methods and papers out there, I love how Luke&#8217;s selections thoughtfully underscore his mighty message. The crosswalk itself is digitally printed flat, while the copy on front and back is letterpressed — as is the roller and white crosswalk mask. To create it, two custom metal dies were generated for the paint roller and the crosswalk shapes and sliding rails. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/mock-up.png" alt="" class="wp-image-10021735"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The project also tangibly gives back. $2 from every card sold supports grassroots organizations that serve this too-often vulnerable community. The current beneficiary is <a href="https://www.themckenzieproject.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The McKenzie Project</a>, a Black trans-led South Florida organization supporting transgender, nonbinary, and gender-expansive youth and young adults through mutual aid, housing support, workforce development, advocacy, and affirming community resources.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/OPC_MASTER_OPEN_3-2_HORT-1536x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-10021693"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">&#8220;I wanted to create something that felt hopeful,&#8221; Luke says. &#8220;Not focused on what was being erased,<br>but on the people who kept showing up with paint rollers, buckets of paint, and chalk to restore it.&#8221;</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Pride Month may only happen once a year, but visibility matters 365 days a year, Luke underscored. &#8220;Visibility helps foster a culture of inclusion, but it also needs to be backed up by action. That&#8217;s a big reason why I wanted this project to do more than raise awareness. Supporting organizations like The McKenzie Project helps turn visibility into actual support for organizations that are serving queer and trans communities every day of the year. Whether Pride month existed or not.&#8221;</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Shop these card beauties<a href="https://www.lucasano.com/pride" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> here </a>— and I know I am not the only one anxiously awaiting Luke&#8217;s next release!</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/PAC_MASTER_BACK_CU_3-2_HORT.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-10021712"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"></p><div class="inline-post clearfix"><div class="see-also byline">See also</div><div id="block-wrap-42605" class="block-wrap-native block-wrap block-wrap-23 block-css-42605 block-wrap-classic columns__m--1 elements-design-3 block-ani block-skin-0 tipi-box block-wrap-thumbnail ppl-m-1 clearfix" data-id="42605" data-base="0"><div class="tipi-row-inner-style clearfix"><div class="tipi-row-inner-box contents sticky--wrap"><div class="block block-23 clearfix"><article class="tipi-xs-12 clearfix with-fi ani-base tipi-xs-typo split-1 split-design-1 loop-0 preview-thumbnail preview-23 elements-design-3 post-10010073 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-favorites tag-design tag-greeting-card-association tag-greeting-cards tag-louie-awards tag-noted tag-ny-now tag-paper-baristas tag-sarah-schwartz tag-shoppe-object tag-stationery tag-stationery-blog tag-stationery-design tag-stationery-designer tag-thank-you-stationery tag-the-paper-nerd tag-yardia tag-zaria" style="--animation-order:0"><div class="preview-mini-wrap clearfix"><div class="mask"><a href="https://thepapernerd.com/meet-the-maker-february-22/" class="mask-img"><img width="100" height="100" src="https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/yardia-greeting-cards-cover-submission.jpg?resize=100%2C100&;ssl=1" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/yardia-greeting-cards-cover-submission.jpg?resize=100%2C100&;ssl=1 100w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/yardia-greeting-cards-cover-submission.jpg?resize=120%2C120&;ssl=1 120w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/yardia-greeting-cards-cover-submission.jpg?resize=275%2C275&;ssl=1 275w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/yardia-greeting-cards-cover-submission.jpg?resize=372%2C372&;ssl=1 372w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/yardia-greeting-cards-cover-submission.jpg?resize=567%2C567&;ssl=1 567w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/yardia-greeting-cards-cover-submission.jpg?resize=882%2C882&;ssl=1 882w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/yardia-greeting-cards-cover-submission.jpg?resize=24%2C24&;ssl=1 24w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/yardia-greeting-cards-cover-submission.jpg?resize=48%2C48&;ssl=1 48w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/yardia-greeting-cards-cover-submission.jpg?resize=96%2C96&;ssl=1 96w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/yardia-greeting-cards-cover-submission.jpg?resize=150%2C150&;ssl=1 150w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/yardia-greeting-cards-cover-submission.jpg?resize=300%2C300&;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/yardia-greeting-cards-cover-submission.jpg?resize=50%2C50&;ssl=1 50w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/yardia-greeting-cards-cover-submission.jpg?zoom=2&;resize=100%2C100&;ssl=1 200w" sizes="(max-width: 100px) 100vw, 100px" /></a></div><div class="meta"><div class="byline byline-2 byline-cats-design-4"><div class="byline-part cats"><a href="https://thepapernerd.com/category/favorites/" style="color:#b79b0d" class="cat">Favorites</a></div></div><div class="title-wrap"><h3 class="title"><a href="https://thepapernerd.com/meet-the-maker-february-22/">Meet the Maker: February &#8217;22</a></h3></div><div class="byline byline-3"><span class="byline-part date"><i class="tipi-i-calendar" aria-hidden="true"></i> <time class="entry-date published dateCreated flipboard-date" datetime="2022-03-07T20:49:13+00:00">March 7, 2022</time></span><span class="byline-part likes-count"><a href="#" class="tipi-like-count " data-pid="10010073"><span class="likes-heart"><i class="tipi-i-heart-o" aria-hidden="true"></i><i class="tipi-i-heart" aria-hidden="true"></i></span><span class="tipi-value">0</span></a></span></div></div></div></article></div></div></div></div></div></tipimidc>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"></p>