🏳️‍🌈 What does the rainbow flag mean? 🏳️‍🌈

You see the rainbow flag nearly everywhere but do you know what it means?

Do you know what it stands for?

Gilbert Baker (June 2, 1951 – March 31, 2017) an American artist and gay rights activist , designed the rainbow flag in 1978.

Gilbert explains his original idea for the first rainbow flag:

A Rainbow Flag was a conscious choice, natural and necessary. The rainbow came from earliest recorded history as a symbol of hope. In the Book of Genesis, it appeared as proof of a covenant between God and all living creatures....Now the rioters who claimed their freedom at the Stonewall Bar in 1969 would have their own symbol of liberation.

• The rainbow flag is a symbol of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) pride and social movements 

• Also known as the gay pride flag or LGBTQ pride flag , the colors reflect the diversity of the LGBTQ community

• Using a rainbow flag as a symbol of gay pride began in San Francisco but eventually became common at LGBTQ events worldwide

  

🍎 red for life

🧡 orange for healing

☀️ yellow for sunlight

🌱 green for nature

🌐 blue for harmony

🎆 purple for spirit

I think the Rainbow Flag will survive forever, primarily because it's the perfect flag, regardless of whatever political meaning it may have or evolve to. - Gilbert Baker

Do:

• Educate yourself on the LGBTQ community

• Raise awareness and educate people you know about LGBTQ issues

• Include others in your social groups,even if they aren't like you

• Consider posting a welcoming sign at your place of employment, business, school, house of worship, or home that says, "We welcome all cultures, all religions, all colors, all beliefs, all ages, all sizes, all types, all people.”

Don't Forget To:

• Be sensitive and respectful to all genders, orientations, and identities

• Avoid making assumptions about LGBTQ+ people

• Speak out if someone uses offensive verbal comments, tells a disparaging joke about an LGBTQ person or shows homophobia

• Support pride organizations

• Reach out to diversity and inclusion groups in your community

• Attend a pride parade or festival