Latest news with #PrideMonth
Daily Mirror
4 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!
Black America Web
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
Marsha P. Johnson: The Black Pioneer Of Pride
SOPA Images A post that went up on our Instagram earlier this month sparked a bit of controversy in the comments (seen below) when we declared the month of June as an intersection between Black Music Month, Juneteenth, Caribbean Heritage Month and Pride Month. Of course, the issue came down to the latter's inclusion as some still fail to believe that Black culture can be connected to the LGBTQIA movement — yes, homophobia on various levels unfortunately still exists within our community. However, on the eve of commemorating the Stonewall Riots Anniversary (June 28) that sparked Pride Month altogether, we wanted to take a brief look at the Black drag queen that pioneered the movement from its violent inception to marching in the very first Pride Day Parade: the late Marsha P. Johnson. RELATED: Happy Pride Month: Celebrate 10 Black OG Influencers Who Paved The Way [Gallery] Marsha P. Johnson stands as an enduring symbol of courage, resilience, and activism. A Black transgender woman and revolutionary figure in LGBTQ+ history, Johnson's contributions transcend time, inspiring generations to fight for equality. Marsha played a pivotal role in the Stonewall Riots of 1969, a watershed moment for LGBTQ+ rights. Her presence at the uprising—widely regarded as the spark that ignited modern Pride movements—was marked by defiance and solidarity. At a time when queer individuals were criminalized and marginalized, Johnson stood on the frontline, embodying the fight against systemic oppression. Her courage underpinned a broader struggle for freedom, reminding the world that Black queer voices are an integral part of social progress. Beyond Stonewall, Johnson co-founded the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR) alongside Sylvia Rivera. This organization provided shelter and support to homeless LGBTQ+ youth, particularly trans people of color. Through STAR, Marsha championed the rights of those overlooked by mainstream society, offering safe spaces and a voice to the most vulnerable. Her impact endures as a intersectional icon—her identity as a Black, transgender individual highlights the struggles and contributions of people living at the intersections of multiple forms of discrimination. Today, Marsha's legacy fuels Pride Month celebrations and underscores the necessity of equity in both LGBTQ+ and racial justice movements. Johnson's life was tragically cut short in 1992 under suspicious circumstances, yet her memory remains a beacon of hope and action. Pride Month is a time to amplify her powerful message: equality is non-negotiable, and the fight for liberation requires unity across all communities. Marsha P. Johnson's bravery continues to inspire, cementing her place as a towering icon of resilience and unyielding activism. The article 'Marsha P. Johnson: The Black Pioneer Of Pride' was created with the help of SEE ALSO
San Francisco Chronicle
7 hours ago
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
Harvey Milk name erased from Navy ship during Pride Month
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Friday that the U.S. Navy has renamed a ship honoring slain gay rights icon Harvey Milk, replacing it with the name of a World War II hero. The decision, which critics called politically motivated and timed to Pride Month, marks a stark reversal in the Navy's recent approach to commemorating civil rights leaders. The fleet oiler, formerly known as the USNS Harvey Milk, will now bear the name of Oscar V. Peterson, a Medal of Honor recipient who died saving his ship, the USS Neosho, during a 1942 Japanese attack. 'We are taking the politics out of ship naming,' Hegseth said in a video posted to X. 'People want to be proud of the ship they're sailing in.' I am pleased to announce that the United States Navy is renaming the USNS Harvey Milk to the USNS Oscar V. Peterson. We are taking the politics out of ship naming. — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (@SecDef) June 27, 2025 The ship was christened in 2021 under a policy from the Obama-era Navy Secretary Ray Mabus to name oilers after civil and human rights champions. Milk, a Navy veteran who was forced to accept an 'other than honorable' discharge due to his sexuality, later became one of the first openly gay elected officials in the U.S. before his assassination in 1978. An internal Navy memo revealed that the renaming aligns with President Donald Trump's and Hegseth's goals to 're-establish the warrior culture.' The timing — days after WorldPride celebrations in Washington, D.C. — has drawn intense backlash. 'The removal of Harvey Milk's name from a naval vessel — during Pride Month, no less — is absolutely shameful,' state Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, said in a statement when the news of the name change first emerged this month. 'Brave LGBTQ veterans worked for years to achieve the naming of a ship for Harvey. Now Trump and Hegseth are wiping it away due to straight-up bigotry.' The USNS Harvey Milk is one of 17 vessels built to honor civil rights heroes, including civil rights activist Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga.; Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy; women's rights activist Lucy Stone and abolitionist Sojourner Truth. 'Donald Trump's assault on veterans has hit a new low.' California Gov. Gavin Newsom posted on social media this month. 'Harvey Milk wasn't just a civil rights icon — he was a Korean War combat veteran whose commander called him 'outstanding.' Stripping his name from a Navy ship won't erase his legacy as an American icon, but it does reveal Trump's contempt for the very values our veterans fight to protect.'
Cision Canada
8 hours ago
- Health
- Cision Canada
RNAO celebrates Pride at events across Ontario
TORONTO, June 27, 2025 /CNW/ - Carrying colourful banners and dressed in their brightest attire, members of the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) and members of its Rainbow Nursing Interest Group (RNIG) will continue an annual tradition of marching at several Pride events across the province this summer. "RNAO remains committed to supporting sexually and gender-diverse individuals, especially during Pride Month," says RNAO President NP Lhamo Dolkar. "Many of our members identify with the 2SLGBTQI+ community and/or provide care to community members. We are proud to march alongside them and will continue to advocate for safe, equitable and barrier-free care across all health sectors and settings. Our association values inclusivity and protecting the human rights of people of all sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions in Canada and around the world." RNAO members support 2SLGBTQI+ clients and colleagues in various roles throughout the health system on a daily basis, and the association has long advocated for equality. Registered nurses, nurse practitioners and nursing students across the province are determined to improve access to health services for equity-deserving communities, including Ontarians who identify as transgender. "RNAO is unwavering in its commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI). We are honoured to walk alongside our 2SLGBTQI+ family and friends again this year," says RNAO CEO Dr. Doris Grinspun. "At a time when we are witnessing a troubling rise in anti-2SLGBTQI+ sentiment and a broader backlash against diversity – including the recent decision by companies like Google, Home Depot, Nissan Canada and Clorox to withdraw their support for Pride – it is more important than ever to speak out, says Grinspun. "We call on all Canadians of conscience to expose corporate sponsors who backtrack on their EDI programs and retract their support at the first threat to their profits. These actions, influenced by President Donald Trump and Canadian far-right movements and fearmongering, are unacceptable and shameful," adds Grinspun. "We must not allow intimidation to roll back decades of progress. Nurses will continue to lead with compassion, evidence and courage to ensure the dignity, health and rights of every person are upheld," insists Dolkar. WHAT: Members of the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) will march in Pride parades in communities across Ontario. HOW: Register online to attend one or more of the events. Reporters interested in interviewing an RNAO representative are encouraged to reach out to one of the contacts below. To learn more about RNAO's work related to 2SLGBTQI+ communities, visit the dedicated In Focus web page. The Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) is the professional association representing registered nurses, nurse practitioners and nursing students in Ontario. Since 1925, RNAO has advocated for healthy public policy, promoted excellence in nursing practice, increased nurses' contribution to shaping the health system, and influenced decisions that affect nurses and the public we serve. For more information about RNAO, visit or follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. SOURCE Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario
Malaysian Reserve
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Malaysian Reserve
HBO Max Celebrates Pride Month with the Release of Gay HBO Max Song
LONDON, June 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — HBO Max proudly announces the release of GAY HBO MAX SONG, a new track by internationally renowned drag superstar, pop culture icon, and DJ Trixie Mattel, created especially for fans using some of HBO Max's most iconic quotes. As part of the Pride Month celebrations, the music video for GAY HBO MAX SONG by Trixie Mattel is available now on YouTube. The launch of GAY HBO MAX SONG celebrates the communities and fandoms that have helped establish HBO Max as a cultural phenomenon. With fans at the core of its success, HBO Max continues to inspire engagement and creative expression. This initiative is a tribute to the creativity, passion and unwavering connection fans have shown to HBO Max content. As part of a global celebration, HBO Max is launching activations across LATAM and EMEA throughout the weekend and beyond. Local DJs will collaborate to remix GAY HBO MAX SONG in ways that resonate with fans in their regions, bringing a global heartbeat to this Pride anthem. 'Look, as gay people we live and breathe pop culture. So making this track using timeless clips from some of tv's most iconic moments felt like the perfect way to celebrate PRIDE. This is a gay person's brain on HBO Max. Now go put on a blonde wig, click play, and dance.' – Trixie Mattel Fans can watch GAY HBO MAX SONG by Trixie Mattel now on YouTube. About HBO MaxHBO Max is the premier global streaming platform from Warner Bros. Discovery that delivers the most unique and captivating stories, ranging from the highest quality in scripted programming, movies, documentaries, true crime, adult animation, and live sports and news (where available). Max is the destination for prestigious entertainment brands such as HBO, Warner Bros., Max Originals, DC, Harry Potter, as well as iconic shows like 'Friends' and 'The Big Bang Theory,' all in one place. For media inquiries please contact: Marissa@ Logo – –
