A cholo mural in San Francisco's Mission District that features LGBT Chicanos was vandalized earlier this week, and now the artists who created it are being threatened on social media.

The mural was created to celebrate classic cholo culture, but features a gay male couple, a lesbian couple, and a transgender man. The vandals spray painted over both the faces and the words "Por Vida," meaning "for life."

The Advocate reported the following:

"The mural was designed by Manuel Paul of Maricón Collective, a group of four queer Chicano DJs and artists who host parties, create original art, and raise awareness about other queer Chicano artists. Although no one has taken responsibility for the vandalism, since the story broke, a small but vocal contingent on social media is calling for violence against anyone in the Mission seen wearing clothing with Maricón Collective's logo."

"Por Vida was created to celebrate the LGTBQ Chican@/Latin@ culture within the context of a historically Chicano Barrio," Paul explained in a statement. "Through our art and our work we present counter-stories that reflect queers growing up in the Barrio. Barrio Queerness is not a new concept or trend, it has always existed but has been silenced by centuries of patriarchy and machismo that plague our communities."

La Galería de la Raza, an arts nonprofit founded to create awareness and appreciation of Chicano and Latino art, commissioned the mural, and they began receiving hate-filled comments as soon as they posted photos of it on social media.

"I know there is gay Latinos but to have gay cholos is unheard of," wrote one Instagram commenter. "I say this with no intent of 'homophobia' or 'cyber attacking' as you stated on your website."

Paul was prepared for the vandalism, but is now concerned that people wearing the Maricón Collective shirts could be targeted and attacked next.

h/t: The Advocate