Philadelphia’s LGBTQ+ community is uniting in a unique mission to locate the stolen Beardmobile, a distinctive 14,000lb performance truck adorned with a stage, sound system, and pink eyelashes. The vehicle, belonging to the Bearded Ladies Cabaret, was taken from a parking lot in Mount Airy, sparking a city-wide search effort. Despite the loss, the troupe remains resolute in their determination to recover the beloved symbol that has been a highlight of Philly Pride parades and LGBTQ+ events.

John Jarboe, the artistic founder, expressed hope for the Beardmobile’s safe return, emphasizing its sentimental value and rich history. The Bearded Ladies, known as a “queer arts organization that sits on your lap and sings you a story,” were shocked to discover the theft a week later when preparing for upcoming performances. Police suspect the culprits disabled a motion-sensor camera before absconding with the truck.

In a creative response, the troupe has flooded the city with missing posters describing the Beardmobile as a “box truck in drag” and is offering a reward of “10,000lb of glitter” for its recovery. Despite the setback, they maintain their trademark humor and resilience, choosing not to replace the iconic vehicle. The Beardmobile, a 2009 Isuzu truck transformed into a mobile stage, held significant meaning as a symbol of LGBTQ+ visibility, activism, and joy in Philadelphia, embodying the community’s spirit of proud resistance against intolerance and discrimination. The Bearded Ladies have opted not to pursue legal action against the thieves, highlighting their commitment to positivity and unity within the LGBTQ+ community.