Happy Saturday to you,

In keeping with this month's Pride theme and after last weeks introduction to Marsha, I thought we should go further to increase collective awareness of the Pride movement and it's history.

Most of us are familiar with the rainbow flag but perhaps not all of us are aware of it's intented meaning? The original flag consisted of the following colours and meanings:

FUN FACT:

In the mid 70's, when a group were having flags made, there was a shortage of hot pink dye and so, in the interest of speed, they omitted the hot pink band from that iteration and the Pride flag we know today was born. Not out of a statement, but out of a textile issue. An amazing part of the history that demonstrates real life contraints and how they can shape meaning. But, I digress. . .

When I review the colour meanings, I am inspired by the beauty and humanity of the words: Life, Healing, Sunlight, Nature, Magic/Art, Serenity, Spirit. These are the core essentials of what it means to live the human experience. I love that the flag represents what it means to be human.

Here is the newest 2020/21 iteration of the Pride flag. . .

In my learning of it, I've come to appreciate its statement of the intersectionality we must commit to understanding and respect.

With the black and brown bands crosscutting the middle, representing marginilized races, and the transgendered flag colours represented in the top left corner, it manifests a “Centering Across the Movement” message reminding ALL of us with privilege that humans do not all start from the same 'advantage point'. However, when the most marginalized take center stage, we should listen, take a step back, and understand what needs to be done.

Thanks to those who have gone before us; we CAN listen first and support continuing their work,