The flag includes black and brown stripes to represent marginalized LGBTQ+ communities of color, along with the colors pink, light blue and white, which are used on the Transgender Pride Flag. They said, “It feels good to know everyone cares and that we are seen and appreciated.” The Progress Pride flag was developed in 2018 by non-binary artist Daniel Quasar with the redesign adding a five-colored chevron to the classic rainbow flag to place a greater emphasis on inclusion and progression. Santa Cruz High ninth-grader Taly Strubing, who identifies at LGBTQ+ was given the honor of the physical raising of the flag. Many schools countywide raised the rainbow flag to honor the legacy of Milk, a gay rights pioneer and California’s first openly gay elected official whose advocacy fueled movements for LGBTQ+ rights across the country. The Pride Progress Flag is raised Monday morning during a ceremony at the Santa Cruz County Office of Education marking Harvey Milk Day. A press release about the second annual rainbow flag raising ceremony from the County Office of Education says, “The COE is encouraging and supporting teachers across the county to incorporate LBGTQ+ history into curriculum in an effort to increase awareness about LGBTQ+ history and celebrate the diversity of all of our students and families.” (Shmuel Thaler – Santa Cruz Sentinel) Hammond, the Windy City Times reporter who broke the story, said this week she had been transferred to the newspaper's sales department after she was threatened by Dyke March officials and accused of betraying the LGBT community with the piece.The Pride Progress Flag is raised Monday morning during a ceremony at the Santa Cruz County Office of Education marking Harvey Milk Day.
Critics accused the organizers of being anti-Semitic. The march's politics are pro-Palestinian and anti-Zionist. The organizers said the flags were a "trigger" that would offend those who associated the Star of David with the Israeli flag.
"The ideal rainbow flag is the one that represents you and your identity, whatever that may be," said Hikes, who has batted away criticism that Philly's new design is unnecessary or singles out people of color.Ĭhicago's controversy started last month when organizers of that city's Dyke March kicked out three people carrying LGBT flags emblazoned with Jewish stars.
As debate flared in another city, Chicago, about whether it's appropriate to to include a Jewish star on the LGBT flag, Hikes spoke this week of why it's important for the flag to embrace multitudes.