Johnson and Sylvia Rivera were reportedly the ones who initially stood up to the police and initiated the movement. Black and brown trans activists Marsha P. This includes whitewashing, where stories of people of color are erased or whites are cast in the roles traditionally held by people of color while erasing the roles that black and brown activists have played within LGBTQ communities.Īn example of this marginalization and whitewashing can be found in the history of pride celebrations themselves as they commemorate the anniversary of the Stonewall riots, where queer activists fought back against the police who raided a gay bar, assaulting and arresting the patrons. These activists believed that changing the most “recognizable icon for the LGBTQ community” to include and recognize black and brown activists would help elicit a discussion about the racism and marginalization that people of color experience in LGBTQ communities.
But together we can make big strides toward a truly inclusive community. To fuel this important conversation, we’ve expanded the colors of the flag to include black and brown. Especially when it comes to recognizing people of color in the LGBTQ+ community. A lot of good, but there’s more we can do. In 1978, artist Gilbert Baker designed the original rainbow flag. When the updated flag with the black and brown stripe was added and unveiled in early June, redesigned by the city and a Philadelphia-based design firm, they explained their reason for updating the flag, writing:
The rainbow pride flag has come to symbolize much for many LGBTQ people, but importantly, the flag has been altered a number of times, so it is curious that when the flag was altered to include the colors black and brown, it was so controversial. The pride flag and rainbow have come to symbolize LGBTQ support and pride, such as when the rainbow flag was illuminated over state capitals in honor of not only Pride Month but also to commemorate same-sex marriage or to honor the victims of the Pulse Night Club shooting. In South Africa, the LGBTQ pride flag uses the familiar rainbow color with the “Y” shape found in the traditional South African flag over it. Throughout the years, the flag has gone through a number of variations in an effort to call attention to a particular group or social issue facing queer communities.įor example, at some Pride celebrations, a black stripe has been added to recognize those who have died from AIDS complications.
Since then, the six-colored flag has been the most well known. In 1979, the color pink was removed because of difficulty in finding the hot pink fabric. Yellow is symbolic of sunlight red is symbolic of life and violet is symbolic of spirit.īarker maintained that the rainbow flag was designed to represent the diversity within LGBTQ communities. Originally designed by gay activist Gilbert Baker in 1978 and commissioned by famed activist and politician Harvey Milk, the pride flag originally displayed eight colors including turquoise and hot pink, with symbolic meaning assigned to each color. Most people have seen the pride flag, the rainbow six-striped flag which displays the colors red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet. Traditionally, the pride flag has been the least controversial aspect of pride celebrations until this past summer, when the city of Philadelphia’s Office of LGBT Affairs unveiled their newly updated pride flag, with the colors black and brown added to the flag, and hoisted it above the Philadelphia State Capital in an effort to bring attention to diversity within LGBTQ communities. In some cities with large LGBTQ populations, like San Francisco, the rainbow flag is even painted on city streets. Pride celebrates lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) identity and rights and is a cultural event that includes parades, festivals, marches, and other celebrations.ĭuring Pride celebrations, the pride flag is prominently displayed throughout the parade routes, on t-shirts, and outside of buildings and restaurants. Many of you have probably heard of LGBTQ Pride, or if you’ve never heard of it, you’ve probably noticed an increase in rainbow flags and discussions about LGBTQ identity during the June and July months. Pride celebrations occur in major cities and small towns throughout the nation and the world.