Latest news with #LGBTQIA
Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- General
- Daily Mirror
Inside the evolution of the Pride flag and what it looks like today
As we celebrate Pride and shine a light on the ongoing activism and achievements of the LGBTQIA+ community, we take a look at the evolution and history of the Pride flag With June marking Pride Month globally, the UK has events and marches occurring across the length and breadth of the country all month long. Pride Month honours the legacy of the Stonewall uprising while also shining a light on the ongoing activism and achievements of the LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual) community. Evoking a sense of belonging, representation, and community, the Pride flag is a symbol of unity and empowerment. In fact, Google Trends found that ' Flag ' search interest spikes every June in the UK. ' progress pride flag ' is a breakout search and the top trending flag this June. But what exactly are the origins of this world-renowned flag? Here's a brief breakdown of the history of the Pride flag and its evolution over the decades. Pride flag: A brief history The 8-stripe flag was first designed by an activist from San Francisco called Gilbert Baker, whose aim was to represent the diversity of the LGBTQIA+ community through the flag. Harvey Milk, California's first openly gay elected official, commissioned Gilbert to create a visual of pride for the gay community. With flags often being recognised as key pillars of self-identity, Gilbert's design was then printed onto a flag. The first iteration of the Pride flag was revealed during the Gay Freedom Day Parade in San Francisco in 1978. Due to colour shortages however, the turquoise and pink stripes had to be removed from the flag, and the blue stripe was changed to a different shade. This is the version of the Pride flag which is world-renowned and has since served as an iconic representation and symbol of unity, freedom, and equality for the community. The Gilbert Baker Design Inspired by the lyrics of Judy Garland's Over the Rainbow and the visual language of other civil rights movements from the 1960s by black civil rights groups, Gilbert Baker designed the Rainbow Flag. Hand-dyed and hand-sewn by him, the flag was first flown at San Francisco's Gay Freedom Day in June 1978. Each coloured stripe of Gilbert's flag represents a different aspect of the LGBTQIA+ community, namely: Hot Pink for Sex, Red for Life, Orange for Healing, Yellow for Sunlight, Green for Nature and Serenity, Turquoise for Art, Indigo for Harmony, and Violet for Spirit. Pride Flag History from 1978 to 1999 After Harvey Milk's assassination in 1978, several individuals and organisations chose to adopt the Pride flag introduced to the community upon his insistence. The flag was flown across San Francisco and was ordered for mass production by Gilbert, the original designer of the flag, with the help of local business Paramount Flag Co, in an effort to commemorate Harvey's accomplishments and continue the community's fight for equality and diversity. Demand for the rainbow-striped flag rose so high, it became impossible for the 8-stripe design to be produced in such large quantities. Gilbert and Paramount both struggled with sourcing the hot pink fabric, and so a 7-stripe version of the flag was borne and manufactured. The Traditional Gay Pride Flag 1979 once again saw the Pride flag's design amended — this time to a six-stripe version — after several complications arose over the odd number of stripes featured on the flag, as well as the conundrum of people wanting to split the flag in order to decorate Pride parades. The indigo and turquoise stripes of the flag were combined to create a vivid royal blue stripe instead, and it was agreed that the flag would typically be flown horizontally, with the red stripe at the top, forming a natural rainbow. Finally landing upon a six colour version, this is the iteration of the flag the world is most familiar with. This version of the Pride flag's design became extremely popular globally, making it the focal point of landmark decisions like John Stout fighting for his right to fly Pride flag from his apartment's balcony in 1989. The 2017 Philadelphia Design In 2017, the city of Philadelphia recognised that people of colour often face discrimination within the LGBTQIA+ community itself, and thus added an additional 2 stripes — black and brown — to the Pride flag, in an effort to represent the regular prejudices and struggles faced by queer people of colour. While some organisations and activists criticised the new design citing unnecessary division and boundary creation within the community, Pride festivals world-over, including in Manchester, UK, decided to adopt the design in a bid to promote inclusion, especially within the community. This came especially after a 2018 study's finding showed that 51 per cent of BAME LGBTQIA+ individuals have faced racism within the queer community. The Progress Pride Flag June 2018 saw Daniel Quasar, an activist and designer, release another version of the Pride flag, which combined the new elements of the Philadelphia design with the Transgender flag in an effort to promote further progress and inclusion. This new iteration of the flag saw a chevron added to the hoist of the traditional 6-stripe flag. The chevron represented those living with HIV/AIDS and those who have been lost, trans and non-binary persons, as well as marginalised LGBTQIA+ communities of colour. The new design went viral and was fervently adopted by pride parades and people all over the globe. The chevron's arrow purposefully points to the right in a means to represent forward movement and progress. Intersex Inclusive Progress Pride Flag In 2021, the Pride flag was once again reinvented, with Valentino Vecchietti of Intersex Equality Rights UK adapting the previous Pride Progress flag to now incorporate the intersex flag as well, thus creating the Intersex-Inclusive Pride flag of 2021. Purple and yellow are colours used by the intersex community as an intentional counterpoint against the gender defining blue and pink that have traditionally been used for years around the world. The circle further represents the idea of being whole and unbroken, denoting the right of Intersex people to make independent decisions with regards to their own bodies. Help us improve our content by completing the survey below. We'd love to hear from you!
CBS News
3 hours ago
- Politics
- CBS News
Gay Officers Action League not permitted to participate in NYC Pride March in full uniform. Here's why.
Some LGBTQIA+ members of the New York City Police Department are upset they're not allowed to wear their full police uniform while participating in Sunday's Pride March. Det. Brian Downey, the highest ranking LGBTQIA+ member of the NYPD and a member of the Gay Officers Action League (GOAL), says it's hypocritical that organizers of the march want the NYPD for protection, but won't let GOAL participate as a group. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch echoed the sentiment. "It is the height of hypocrisy that uniformed officers from GOAL are fit to line the parade route and keep everyone safe, but they are unable to march in their own uniform and under their own banner," she said during a security briefing Friday. "That is in direct opposition to the inclusivity that the LGBTQ+ community has fought so hard for." Heritage of Pride, the nonprofit that organizes NYC Pride, said in a statement that full police uniforms include the concealed carry of firearms, which goes against the weapon policy for the Pride March. "To be clear, GOAL is welcome to march without weapons like every other contingent," Heritage of Pride said in a statement, in part. "NYC Pride remains committed to finding a way to work with GOAL in our shared vision to improve policing as we continue creating safe spaces for the entire LGBTQIA+ community." This isn't the first time GOAL has accused NYC Pride of excluding the group. Back in 2021, NYC Pride announced it would ban corrections and law enforcement exhibitors at events, citing a desire to "create safer spaces for the LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities at a time when violence against marginalized groups, specifically BIPOC and trans communities, has continued to escalate." At the time, GOAL's vice president called the move "shameful."
Daily Mail
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Lizzie Cundy puts on a VERY leggy display in a gold fringed mini dress as she joins busty Ella Morgan at star-studded charity ball
Lizzie Cundy looked incredible as she hit the red carpet alongside Ella Morgan at the Rainbow Honours charity ball at the London Hilton on Friday. The former WAG, 57, put on a very leggy display in a gold fringe mini dress which boasted sheer panels and teased a glimpse of her jaw-dropping figure beneath. Accentuating her timeless features with glam make-up the stunner slipped her feet into sparkly heels and posed up a storm. Meanwhile MAFS UK star Ella, 31, opted for a plunging pink dress complete with racy thigh high split and added extra sparkle with gold accessorises. The duo were joined at the star-studded evening by other famous faces including Sally Lindsay, Suranne Jones and Linda Robson. The annual event recognises and celebrates individuals and organisations who dedicate themselves year-round to driving change and championing LGBTQIA+ equality. It comes after Lizzie opened up about the realities of being a WAG in the noughties as she shared the 'lonely and isolating' reality of her split from her footballer ex. The TV star got married to the former Chelsea player Jason Cundy, 55, in 1994, after meeting at a nightclub in Richmond, London. Lizzie split from Jason in 2012 after discovering his affair with opera singer Hannah Pedley. Now, in a new BBC documentary titled Sex After Celebrity, Lizzie revealed the difficulties she faced with being in the public eye at the height of her fame. Reflecting on the period when her marriage split became public, she described it as the 'most awful time' in her life. She said: 'It was the most awful time when my marriage split up, not just because it was a marriage splitting up and family was being split up, it was because it was on the front page of the papers. 'There's a picture of me in a swimsuit, looking over my shoulder, and it was all about my marriage split, and I didn't even know about it myself. And it was the reaction of other people as well. 'Friends I knew didn't know what to say. The mums at school would cross the road from me because they were embarrassed. She added extra sparkle to the ensemble with gold accessorises The actress looked effortlessly chic in a navy gown (L-R) Gladiators and Strictly star Montell Douglas joined Loose Women's Linda Robson EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal cut a stylish figure on the red carpet 'They didn't really know what to say. So it actually became quite a lonely existence.' She continued: 'And not knowing who to trust, actually doubting friends, thinking, "Could they have put that story in?" or, you know, "I only told that person, so how did it get in?" 'And quizzing and questioning people that you've known a lifetime. So that side was awful.' Following the breakdown of her high-profile marriage, Lizzie found it hard to go back into the dating pool. She explained: 'It's difficult when you've been in a very high-profile relationship and then go into dating, because you have a trust issue. I certainly did. 'And I've actually been on a date where we're sitting there and I've seen him push his phone, and I thought, "I think you're recording me." 'So I just said it out, "Is your phone on? Are you recording?" And he just went, "Yeah..."' Fast forward to present day, the beauty has found a new lease of life for dating, as she described it was 'great now'. She went on to date England rugby player Danny Cipriani and has since enjoyed some other relationships out of the public eye. The TV star said: 'I am loving dating. I do long-distance relationships, which is fantastic. 'So, you know, you can send little naughty pics and you just keep it fresh. They're not there all the time, getting on your nerves. 'You know, guys are good for different things. You know, I used to have one guy and I'd think, "Oh, if only he was a little bit more fun and wanted to go out at night". 'I've got guys, you know, one likes football, one likes going out for dinner, one makes me laugh, one's good in bed, you know? Got it all. 'So that's what... I'm free. I love it, and I've never been happier.'
Cosmopolitan
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Cosmopolitan
Quickies Review: I Tried the Best Press-On Nails in 2025
I have visions of DIY manicures from my youth that were chipped, smudged, and uneven. Doing my nails myself is just not a skill that I possess as an impatient person with ADHD. It's fine, whatever! But it has led me to a lifelong love-hate relationship with the nail salon. I've done everything: Acrylics, gel manicures, shellac, gel extensions. They're all really expensive, take forever, and never last as long as I expect them to. And, of course, they always leave my nails so broken and brittle that I've got to start the cycle over again if I want them to look good. I hate it. So, I started wearing press-on nails almost exclusively. Last summer, as I was coming into my sexuality as a lesbian and seriously dating women for the first time, I felt like my nails didn't really match who I was anymore. I spent the majority of my teen and adult life always wearing long nails. Men thought long nails were sexy, I once read in a magazine (was it an old issue of Cosmopolitan? Perhaps!). They make your fingers look ~slim~ and ~petite~. But it just didn't feel right anymore, and I suddenly found myself looking for press-on nails that were short in length but had all the sick art I was saving on Pinterest. That's when I switched to (and fell in love with) Quickies, a press-on nail brand that offers a mix of shapes and lengths all in monthly design drops that mimic what you get in salons. Like most of us, Quickies founder Bailey Stanworth started experimenting with press-ons during COVID but was ultimately so unimpressed with the options that, unlike most of us, she created her own. She launched the brand in 2022 in Vancouver with the mission of finally making press-ons that rivaled what she got at nail salons. And with a name like Quickies, just know the branding is clear throughout: it's like if Sabrina Carpenter and Reneé Rapp had a lil press-on baby. It's horny and clever and queer. They wanna nail you! They want you to have a good press! Their tools are called "nail toys"! But it's not just about the nails. Stanworth has been adamant about making Quickies inclusive and charitable from day one. 'There's nothing wrong with being an exclusive cool-girl brand, but I didn't want that for Quickies,' Stanworth tells Cosmo. She's included everyone from her 97-year-old grandma to nonbinary models in imagery and donates $1 from every order to abortion funds and LGBTQIA+ organizations. Stanworth came out as queer just before launching the brand and says that for her and the Quickies community, there's a strong link between sexuality, nail art, and self-identity. 'I know it's just nails, but I get messages from girls who say Quickies really helps their confidence so much.' Worn by Ariana Maddix on the Love Island premiere episode, nbd 😜 Also available in medium almond! FYI: This is a part of the Katie Maloney x Quickies collab! In each lil bag of Quickies, you get 24 press-on nails, a mini nail file, and liquid nail glue. BTW, the actual bag that your nails come in is also reusable and is meant to make it easy to do your nails on the go or easily chuck in your bag for touch-ups. Stanworth says people use the zip pouch to hold medication, cords, jewelry, and cash. (I can attest to this—it's legit perfect for stuffing my vitamins into for weekend trips.) Before applying mine, I always give my nails a quick buff with the included nail file (or, recently, I've been using the large one since it launched). This really helps the press-on adhere to my nails for a lot longer, and I can tell a difference when I skip this step. Then, I'll find my fit (more on this below in my review). I always opt for a slightly larger nail than a smaller one to help avoid any premature lifting. Once my nails are picked out and ready, I take the glue and dab a little bit on the bottom of the inside of the press-on and drag it out to the edges. I really only focus on the lower third of the nail here, and I use much less than you think you need of the glue to avoid spillage once I stick the nail on. For a super secure nail, I'll also dab some glue on the upper third of my natural nail. Same story here: A teensy dot is enough. I'll immediately stick on the press-on nail, hold it for 30 seconds, and that's it. I've been testing Quickies for over six months, and since I tried them, I haven't stepped foot in a nail salon. I have everything I need in this lil pouch; why would I ever get them done again? Lemme explain. One set of Quickies lasts me a full seven days on average. That might not seem like a lot to you, but I've never in my life had a press-on nail not pop off for more than three days, let alone seven. I type at my computer for a living; I'm extremely hard on my nails and don't have the time or energy to baby my press-ons so that they last. But the Quickies glue, combined with the substantial-but-not-too-thick material of the nail, really holds on for dear life. I usually end up choosing to take them off and reapply a new set because I get bored, not actually because the nails have popped off. The longest I've had a set last is 12 days, which is unheard of for me with even a gel manicure, let alone a press-on nail. If you're used to press-ons, you might be wondering: What makes Quickies different? First of all, I find them significantly easier to apply. They fit my nails really well, and now that I've worn a bunch of sets, I pretty much know which nails work for me at this point. I still end up always dumping out the entire zip pouch, but I don't mind because it's way easier than the usual trays found in most press-on nail kits. There's also not nearly as much waste—usually, I toss out three of those damn plastic trays per one set of nails. With Quickies, I only have the one pouch that I almost always keep to hold my extra nails and glue. But I also just feel like Stanworth gets it on the design front. I don't want my press-ons to look like I'm wearing press-on nails, you know? A lot of the time, I just find that the options on the market are, admittedly, cringey and don't meet my standards, which is exactly the same reason she started the brand in the first place. These always match all the nail trends I'm reporting on and would have asked for at a salon anyway. Compared to every other press-on nail brand I've tried recently, Quickies is easily my go-to. The brand is conscious (reminder: $1 of all sales is donated to abortion and LGBTQIA+ funds), focused on sustainability, and owned and run entirely by Stanworth, a queer woman living in Los Angeles. But, like, most of all, the products are so freakin' good. I genuinely don't want to get my nails done anymore—a strong feat for someone who had a standing appointment at the salon once upon a time. I get hella compliments every time I have a set of Quickies on my hands, and people are so shocked when I say I'm wearing press-on nails. I've had so many people open up their Safari app and ask me to type in the brand name so they could purchase later. Friends of mine have texted me "thank you for showing me Quickies!" because they've become fans of the brand too. IDK, I'm kind of an influencer... Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with seven years of experience researching, writing, and editing beauty stories that range from the floral French manicure trend to ranking the best drugstore mascaras. Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.
Glasgow Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Official route for Glasgow's Pride march 2025 revealed
The parade will begin at Kelvingrove Park, where registered groups are invited to assemble from 10am, followed by unregistered participants at 11am. Marchers will then travel through Glasgow city centre, moving along the iconic Sauchiehall Street, continuing into the Merchant City—a key hub for the local LGBTQIA+ community—before heading towards Barrowland Park. At Barrowland Park, walking groups will disperse, while floats will continue along the Gallowgate. READ MORE: Glasgow Pride bans political parties from event amid Supreme Court row Organisers have also confirmed a significant change to the format for this year's march: there will be no separate blocs or sub-groups within the parade. A organisers said: 'Every single member of our LGBTQIA+ community deserves support and needs to stick together, rather than segregating into separate blocs or groups. "By remaining as a single group, resources can be used more effectively and efficiently, ensuring inclusion, maintaining open participation for all, and increasing visibility in the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights.' The 2025 event will continue to focus on protesting for LGBTQIA+ rights, with a particular emphasis on trans rights, which organisers say are under increasing threat worldwide. Pride organisers have also teased a 'very important' announcement set to be revealed tomorrow, June 27. While details remain under wraps, the announcement is expected to offer further updates on this year's march and celebrations. The route announcement was posted across Glasgow Pride's social channels, the caption read: 'Route map announced! "What a day for Glasgow Pride! We've been working hard for months and are thrilled to share the planned route for the Glasgow Pride March 2025! "Starting at Kelvingrove Park: Line-up from 10am for registered groups, 11am for those who do not meet registration requirements. This is important, as unregistered groups turning up could risk the cancellation of the march. "We'll move through Glasgow city centre, going down the iconic Sauchiehall Street, continuing through the vibrant Merchant City (home to so many of our community venues!), and finishing at Barrowland Park. "Walking groups should disperse from Barrowland Park, while floats continue up the Gallowgate. "Pride remains a protest for LGBTQIA+ rights. Together, united as one, we will remain visible in the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights—and more specifically, trans rights, currently under attack across the globe. "Stay tuned for more info, including a very important march announcement this Friday!'
