The August 11, 2025 cover showcases a portrait of trans model Arewà Basit by artist Amy Sherald. This piece is part of Sherald's "American Sublime" exhibition. The exhibition was initially planned for the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery but was canceled by Sherald after she perceived political pressure regarding the painting's inclusion. A Smithsonian spokesperson clarified their intent to contextualize rather than replace the artwork, which received criticism from the Trump White House.
"Trans Forming Liberty' challenges who we allow to embody our national symbols-and who we erase. It demands a fuller vision of freedom, one that includes the dignity of all bodies, all identities."
"Liberty isn't fixed. She transforms, and so must we. This portrait is a confrontation with that truth."
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