Substantively, we wanted to push legislation, host community conversations, and change policy.
![how many colors are in the gay flag how many colors are in the gay flag](https://th-thumbnailer.cdn-si-edu.com/x6do05yg2rF6DNS-N2kTL79hi9k=/fit-in/1600x0/filters:focal(868x796:869x797)/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer/d8/7c/d87cf0c8-f663-4619-a51e-3039f0a93458/unveiled_flag.jpeg)
So when I came on as the Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office for LGBT Affairs in Philadelphia, I was clear that I wanted to address those issues both symbolically and substantively.
#HOW MANY COLORS ARE IN THE GAY FLAG SERIES#
It led to boycotts, protests, calls for leadership changes, along with a series of town halls addressing the experience of racism in the Philadelphia LGBTQ community. That was very painful for a lot of members of the community. But what was really the smoking gun of this issue was an owner of a gay bar in Philadelphia caught on tape saying the n-word over and over again, and laughing about it. We also saw a lack of representation in the leadership of our organisations.
#HOW MANY COLORS ARE IN THE GAY FLAG CODE#
More specifically, we saw discriminatory dress code policies, black and brown people being required to show different forms of identification to get into a space where white folks could just come and go. We saw a report from 1986 –given to the mayor at that time – that documented discriminatory practices in bars and organisations, things that are not unique to Philadelphia and that you see all over the country and all over the world. There were a series of incidents over the last 30 years that contributed to the conversation here in Philadelphia.
![how many colors are in the gay flag how many colors are in the gay flag](https://digitalsynopsis.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/funny-country-flag-color-meanings-16.jpg)
We actually worked with an ad agency to develop a symbol that really spoke to the experiences of LGBTQ people of colour, that are distinctly different to those of white LGBTQ people. To give more context to the conversation that currently surrounds the More Colour, More Pride flag, Chloë Davies, a volunteer at UK Black Pride and queer woman of colour doing her bit to help change the world, speaks with Amber about the creation of the symbol, the backlash against it, and how this could be an opportunity for the community to come together in the fight for true equality for all.Ĭhloë: What inspired you two and half years ago to unveil the More Colour, More Pride flag?Īmber: We introduced the flag to the residents of Philadelphia and accidentally to the country, and then the rest of the world, in June of 2017. Once again, the negative social commentary around their decision within the community revealed a lack of understanding of what the More Colour, More Pride flag actually stands for, but also some blatant racism. More recently in the UK, Manchester Pride announced plans to official adopt the eight-stripe flag as part of their celebrations this year, in solidarity with LGBTQ people of colour.
![how many colors are in the gay flag how many colors are in the gay flag](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/FLAGS_001-562a.gif)
It quickly brought to the surface the often-ignored issue of racism within the LGBTQ community, which had long been lurking underneath not getting the appropriate conversation and action needed to tackle discrimination within our global queer family. Within 24 hours, however, a media storm had been whipped up around this more inclusive design, with certain parts of the community rejecting the flag and claiming that black activists had “hijacked” this symbol of Pride. When the Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office for LGBT Affairs in Philadelphia, Amber Hikes, and her team unveiled a new eight-stripe rainbow flag for Pride Month back in 2017 it was with the aim of giving a new symbol to the community that better recognised LGBTQ people of colour and their experiences. It is a way to symbolise, to highlight, and to stand in solidarity with these other identities.” “This eight-stripe flag is not a replacement for the six-stripe flag.