Buffalo is reeling from the devastating loss of two beloved LGBTQ artists and activists, Mickey Harmon and Jordan Celotto, who were murdered in their home in what police are calling a double homicide. The couple, deeply embedded in Buffalo’s queer and artistic circles, were found dead Tuesday afternoon after a friend, concerned when one of them didn’t show up for work, discovered a man with a knife inside their home. The suspect, a 35-year-old man who allegedly had no known connection to the victims, was taken to a hospital after injuring himself, but authorities remain tight-lipped on further details.
The news has sent shockwaves through Buffalo’s LGBTQ and arts communities, particularly in the Allentown neighborhood—affectionately dubbed the city’s “gayborhood.” Harmon, 40, was a Buffalo institution: a muralist, a store owner, and an unapologetically loud and proud advocate for the queer community. His artwork adorned countless buildings in the city, and his store, The Good Stuff, sold his unique illustrations and cheeky queer-themed apparel. Celotto, 37, was the softer foil to Harmon’s electric personality. A DJ and dance party organizer, he was known for his love of disco and house music, curating events that embodied the free-spirited joy of queer nightlife.
City Council member Mitch Nowakowski fought back tears as he spoke of his friends, refusing to let their lives be overshadowed by their tragic deaths. “Mickey and Jordan were the spirit of this community,” he said. “They made Buffalo brighter, queerer, and better.” Friends and colleagues echoed the sentiment. “They were the perfect balance,” DJ Brian Bartlett said. “Jordan was the soulful, steady presence, and Mickey was the vibrant, chaotic force.” Their presence at LGBTQ events—whether throwing hip-hop pride parties, advocating for community causes, or simply bringing joy to the streets of Allentown—made them inseparable from Buffalo’s queer identity.
Despite the horror of their deaths, their legacy will live on. A queer talent showcase, Queertopia, which Harmon helped organize, will go on as planned this Saturday as a tribute to their memory. Meanwhile, their families and friends have launched fundraisers to cover funeral expenses, with overwhelming community support. The city may have lost two of its brightest stars, but as many in Buffalo’s LGBTQ community have vowed: their magic will never fade.