The truth is, in every place under the rainbow, racism runs wild and free. The new Pride flag was designed to address the specific problems in Philadelphia, but there are issues that go far beyond it, too. So, to those who oppose it: Instead of shouting down at people of color about what the flag means and how they are already included in it, step in front of a mirror and ask yourself what you’re doing to make people of color feel included in your day-to-day lives, particularly in the LGBTQ community. But the community behind this flag is not living up to the flag’s ideals. We know it's supposed to represent all people. And that is further proof that there are white people in the LGBTQ community who love to go to the edge and declare themselves the center. Instead of talking about the racism that led Philadelphia to create this modified flag, opponents have responded by talking about the "intent" and "purpose" of the original rainbow flag as if POC are unaware of it, and have appointed themselves arbiters of what constitutes LGBTQ Pride.
As such, racism (much like the Heathers musical) is just something the gays want to sweep under the pride floats. One of the primary lessons from the Book of White Nonsense is this: Being called a racist is more hurtful and offensive than experiencing it. They don’t want to be seen as complicit in the systemic oppression of people of color and feel they can’t be racist because their sexual minority status absolves them of criticism. Ultimately, it seems the reason that some people (most viscerally white, cisgender men) in the LGBTQ community immediately react this way is that it makes them uncomfortable. Repeat after me: The rainbow flag is not more important than the liberation of people of color from racism, even within the LGBTQ community. In fact, most don't even know the name of the person who designed the flag, or only recently learned his name when Gilbert Baker died this year - and many didn't even know that he died at all. Just a couple of weeks ago, many were willing to accept variations of the flag with the Babadook - a fictional character who many were calling a gay icon - but can't accept the inclusion of black and brown people. Shame on those telling the city of Philadelphia it's not allowed to stand in solidarity with its LGBTQ POC in their hour of need. The lack of outrage about any of the aforementioned changes from within the LGBT community makes the radical reaction to one city altering the flag to stand with its black and brown LGBTQ citizens a very clear exposure of the racist underbelly of our community. flag by replacing the traditional red and white stripes with the colors of the rainbow. We, as LGBTQ people, have even changed the U.S. A flag with an added black stripe represents support for victory over AIDS. South Africa flies its own version: a combination of the national flag and the original rainbow flag. Houston debuted a Family Pride flag in 2007 in celebration of same-sex couples raising children. Prides worldwide have flown variations of the rainbow flag for decades, but it seems like bigots are only mad at this one because it was changed to support people of color. The reaction to these new stripes are a reminder of how white supremacy permeates many spaces, even those of a vastly marginalized group like the LGBTQ community. I want to decide who is represented and supported in our community. What we hear: I’ve never been excluded from a venue or a party based on my race. What they say: This is going to create more divisiveness in our community. What they say: This isn’t going to change anything.