by Adam Harper and Steve Taylor
As we turn our flags over, you may notice something new catching wind in front of the school. Redesigned in 2018, the updated Progressive/Inclusive Pride Flag acknowledges the intersectionality that many people in the LGBTQ+ community experience, especially those who also represent the BIPOC and/or the transgender communities.
Progressive Pride Flag by Daniel Quasar, 2018
The flag features the six traditional rainbow stripes (initially designed by artist Gilbert Baker in 1978) as well as a new chevron with the pink, light blue, and white stripes of the Transgender Pride Flag (designed by American trans woman Monica Helms in 1999).
Transgender Flag by Monica Helms, 1999
The black and brown stripes represent BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, people of colour) members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community. The latter stripes first made their appearance in Philadelphia's Gay Pride festivities in 2017.
City of Philadelphia Pride Campaign, 2018
Our purchase of the flag came with a donation to PFLAG which has chapters across Ontario! PFLAG is a national organization that offers peer-to-peer support striving to help all Canadians with issues of sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.
May 17th will mark International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia. It aims to coordinate international events that raise awareness of LGBTQIA2S+ rights violations and stimulate interest in LGBTQIA2S+ rights work worldwide.
Let’s all do our part to show that love is unconditional.