In 2004, Banksy spray painted Kissing Coppers on the side of the Prince Albert pub in his hometown of Brighton, with the agreement of the owners of the pub.

Banksy said “Some people want to make the world a better place. I just wanna make the world a better-looking place. If you don't like it, you can paint over it!

Since Banksy has often expressed his views in support of freedom, it is likely that this piece was made to support a greater tolerance of sexual-identity by placing icons of authority in a pro-gay position

Steve Lazarides, was the art dealer of Banksy at this period, and was key to promote urban art, referred to as graffiti at the time.

The pub whose slogan is The Home of the Free has benefited from the publicity around the artwork and their building displays work from other artists. Still they sold the artwork in 2014 for $ 575,000.

 

Sources:

Financial Times, Street art dealer Steve Lazarides sets up shop in Mayfair, 2018

The Guardian Banksy's Kissing Coppers – taken from a pub wall in Brighton – sells for $575,000 in US, February 19, 2014