The Philadelphia Office of LGBT Affairs recently came out with a new pride flag that adds black and brown stripes.
I am not sure whether the “More Color More Pride” is a cynical publicity stunt or a genuine attempt at inclusion.
The colors on the original pride flag designed by Gilbert Baker represented the themes of “sexuality, life, healing, sun, nature, art, harmony, and spirit.”
Creating yet another iteration of the flag doesn’t change or threaten these values, but runs the risk of making it easier for people and institutions to virtue signal a message of racial inclusiveness without doing the necessary work to make that happen. 🌈
2 Comments
Baruch
June 16, 2017 at 3:02 pmClearly adding these colors DOES make some people feel included…why would you not support that? Of course these additions will not stop institutionalized/systemic racism, but if some people who have felt marginalized now feel more included, I’m for it.
ray naudier
June 17, 2017 at 1:43 amThirty-three.. distinctly different.. Pride flags + symbols exist (Gay Pride, Lesbian Pride, Lipstick Lesbian Pride, Bisexual Pride, Transgender Pride, Intersex Pride, Feather [Drag] Pride, Genderqueer, Asexual, Pansexual, Polyamorous, Straight, Straight Allies, Bear, Leather, Rubber,…). If we (I’m Black) POC want our own specific, LGBT(QIA)-POC flag, we should have it, but it should be (IMO) distinct, like any other flag. There’s no shortage of graphic designers or artists in the POC community.. There’s no need to use (hijack?) the Gay Pride flag; that’s artistically lazy, & “weak”. Just my opinion..