New LGBT flag design

[Jani]

"The original rainbow flag created in 1978 was a symbol of hope and inclusion for queer people, but Gilbert Baker, a driving force behind the flag, also advocated for its evolution over the years as the LGBT community grew and identities emerged. But when Philadelphia introduced a Pride flag last summer with a black and a brown stripe added to it to be sure people of color knew they were included in the flag's message, there was a backlash. Now an artist is raising money for a new flag that incorporates the black and brown stripes along with the colors of the transgender flag in the form of an arrow to indicate progress."

 

Artist Daniel Quasar created the new flag.  

 

“When the Pride flag was recreated in the last year to include both black/brown stripes as well as the trans stripes included this year, I wanted to see if there could be more emphasis in the design of the flag to give it more meaning,” Quasar, who identifies as a “queer non-binary demi guy” and goes by pronouns he/him and xe/xem, wrote about the inspiration to carry the meaning of the flag further. 

“The initial idea was important because I felt like I could bring something to the table when it came to the way the flag was shifting within the community. I am a designer and I wanted to make a change where I saw there was an opportunity." 

 

https://www.advocate.com/pride/2018/6/08/will-everyone-feel-included-artists-new-pride-flag

 

 

So what are your thoughts on this new flag?  

 

Jani

[Robin Winter]

I'm on board.  People are quick to argue that the rainbow always included everyone, but trans people, people of color, and especially trans people of color, have been mistreated in the community over the years.  I think the time to make a statement that leaves no question about where the community *should* stand has long passed, but later is better than never.

[Jani]

I think the idea of the chevron was to be indicative of moving forward, as in an arrow.  

 

 

[Robin Winter]

Just now, MaryMary said:

A rainbow is the embodiment of the idea of a spectrum. That is very fitting for all members of the community. To me this symbol is both simple and very meaningfull. Yet, I can very much observe the need to name absolutely everything in the LGBT community. I guess this new flag would partly fill that need... but not entirely. And then you have the implication of putting a tilted chevron on a flag wich, i'm sure, already means something when flags are concerned. I don't know exactly what it means though.

The issue with that though is that even though they were supposed to be, not everyone felt represented because of how they are treated within the community.  These changes aren't needed for representation, they're needed to draw attention to the exclusion of certain demographics and to highlight the need for additional support to those folx. 

[Jani]

Just now, Robin Winter said:

These changes aren't needed for representation, they're needed to draw attention to the exclusion of certain demographics and to highlight the need for additional support to those folx. 

From the way I understood the article this was the intent.   I believe the current design is inclusive but for some it might not feel that way so lets go with something a bit new to bring attention to the needs of others.  

[VickySGV]

There are about 9 different Pride Flags and new versions pop up often.  One of my flags is the one designed by Monica Helms, but it has the Trans symbol designed by the late Holly Boswell on it.  Helms has commented favorably on that variation since she and Holly were good friends and early activists.  I personally would like to keep the Trans Pride separate and distinct.  We have a way to go before it is fully included in the LGBTQ** population.

[jae bear]

 I don’t dislike the new flag, but I also like the old flag, sometimes simple and recognizable is best, maybe the change needs to come from within the community and not really be put on the flag itself... I like the idea of the inclusion, and that revision is necessary, it seems more an internal issue not an issue with the flag itself. In some ways new logos and monikers only serve to divide and confuse, and we will know what the new flag means, the mainstream public might not have any clue what it means, branding is very important, and the message given is more about the way our community works than it is necessarily about the flag. Then again I’ve said it already, I don’t dislike the flag, I just have a soft spot and fondness for the old one.

Hugs,

Jackie

[Timber Wolf]

To me,  it seems more inclusive. The current LGBT flag never really felt like mine. When I see the transgender flag, my ears perk up so to speak. The current LGBT flag without our colors always had a "the other peoples" feeling to it to me. I would see the LGBT flag and the transgender flag displayed next to each other. This is kind of symbolic of a separation. This new flag brings the two together. I like the new one.

 

Lots of love,

Timber Wolf?

[Charlize]

I have a rainbow flag and a trans flag and i doubt that i'd get a new one.  I didn't used to like the pastel of the trans flag but it has grown on me.  It is simple and enough.

 

Hugs,

 

Charlize

[Jani]

Upon reflection, I don't mind having a separate flag for us.  This flag is fine...but.  We were only recently added to the alphabet soup and our thing is gender whereas the others is sexuality/attraction.  I suppose when you are down trodden, any port in a storm as far as aligning yourself with "similar" communities seeking protections.  I wouldn't display a rainbow flag, but I would show the pastels.

 

Like Charlize, at first the pastels didn't seem to sit well with me but now I've grown accustomed to them.  (cue "I've grown accustomed to her face" by Tony Bennett)

 

Jani

[Timber Wolf]

I've thought about it a little more. If I remember correctly, none of the stripes on the current LGBT flag stand for any specific group or community. They each symbolise an ideal. If we add anything that does stand for a specific group, such as the transgender colors, then we have to start deciding which groups get included in future versions and which don't. Somebody will always feel left out then. My vote at this time (if it were to count for anything) would be to keep it the same.

 

While we are sometimes made to feel left out, special consideration would leave the others out. By keeping each stripe symbolizing their ideals rather than specific groups, the flag as is, is more all inclusive.

 

Lots of love,

Timber Wolf?

[Cyndee]

I was just given a trans pride flag (pastels) last night, by my good friends. It was MacKenzie's https://www.transgenderpulse.com/forums/profile/13702-mackenzieb/ pride flag, bless her heart, what a nice keep sake from my friend from years past. I will think of her when it's flying at our house. I don't know about any other designs, this one is just fine with me....

 

C -