Should The Rainbow Flag Be Redesigned?
Tuesday June 9, 2009
In 1978, Gilbert Baker designed the rainbow flag (also known as the gay pride flag) as a symbol of LGBT pride, liberation and diversity. "In the beginning the Rainbow Flag was about liberation," Baker said in a UK Gay News op-ed piece. "It was about breaking free of an existence limited by fear and conformity, the right to express sexuality without shame or retaliation from those who legislate "morality.'"
The Rainbow Flag debuted at the 1978 San Francisco Gay and Lesbian Freedom Day Parade. It has since been used around the world as a symbol of LGBT unity in many variations, including adaptations such as bumper stickers and decals. However, despite its widespread use, in a May 2008 UK Gay News op-ed, Gilbert claimed that the flag was not complete and that it continues to grow along with the movement it represents.
But now, with the level of LGBT activism at heights unseen since Stonewall, is it time for a change? WNYC & PRI’s Studio 360 with Kurt Andersen thinks a makeover is in order. The station is asking listeners to redesign the rainbow flag for the 21st Century. Artists can submit their ideas on 360's Flikr site. The winner will be announced on WNYC's June 26th show.
"WNYC & PRI’s Studio 360 is all for gay pride...but rainbows are so...1978," the station says. What do you think? Is it time for newly designed pride flag?
Image © David Silverman/Getty Images.
Comments
no way. The rainbow flag is timeless. Its meaning can change throughout time. I haven’t thought of it meaning “breaking free” for almost forever. Rather, I’ve seen it as bringing everyone together. every color of the rainbow, all together, all as one.
don’t change it!
I think it needs updating to include us all – the B’s and the T’s.
I don’t buy rainbow jewelry because I get the vibe that anyone who sees it will think I’m trying to express that I’m lesbian, when I’m in fact bisexual.
Something that includes each of us seperately – G L B and T – but in a way that brings us all together. Maybe even a little Straight thrown in there! After all, they’re around, too. XD
Seriously? You don’t wear the rainbow because someone might think you’re a lesbian? Heaven forbid! Think about what you’re saying… attitudes like that are exactly what we don’t need in our community.
And to be clear, it’s a Pride Flag. Not a Gay Flag or a Lesbian Flag. Pride. Including all of us. “B’s and T’s” included.
Let’s stand together, and stop worrying so much about what others think, okay?
IT SHOULD NOT CHANGE – It is a PRIDE flag, not a gay flag.
Good question. While a part of me thinks the rainbow is tired, I don’t want to change our flag. Our community is diverse and I love that the rainbow represents that.
We can update our t-shirts with new slogans, create new chants and rallying cries, but I say the rainbow stays as our flag.
I disagree with Ayla. I do think the flag represents LGB and T. And Bears. And Leather Dykes. And drag queens. And just about every other segment of our beautiful and diverse community.
When I first seen the PRIDE FLAG, I was in awe. This is a BEAUTIFUL FLAG. PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE. This is part of OUR HISTORY. If you know the significance of the colors. You will understand. The flag represents all in the community. I am Native American – Apache. Do you hear me crying for CHANGE.
Sometimes change is good but in this case, DON’T FIX IT IF IT ISN’T BROKE!! Gay Pride is how I ride!
I think that there are colors that need to be added to include all races of glbt!
The Original Flag had more colors. Pink and Turquoise amd I believe Violet was Separate from Indigo. What we have now is a scheme that accords with the Chakra Code not the Rainbow/ Hence every entrepreneur profits fom the commonality rather that the uniqueness of the Flag.
Since most National Flags are in Primary Colors(Red,Yellow,Blue) and we pride ourselves on being a blend I’d suggest the secondary colors(Orange,Green, Purple). Otherwise I’d expand the colors to the original ones and include Black and White.
Well from the mouth of the FlagBoy himself, I say don’t change it! It’s history…don’t erase it. We see too much erasing of history today in our neighborhoods and communities. Let’s not fade away people. I mean, if we really want to spice-up the Flag, let’s bring back the original original design (which everyone is talking about)…let’s bring that back as a commemorative piece, but let’s not destroy any of our history. It’s All About PRIDE and the Rainbow represents us all…people of many colors and layers.
No, it doesn’t need to be changed. It’s a well established symbol and it’s been around for too long. It’s ridiculous to make it a literal representation of every single type of person. It’s a simplified rainbow and rainbows equal diversity.
I listened to the audio clip and personally think they are clueless.
Add marching penises? The flag is so 1970’s? Make it more memorable? REALLY!
Just because one small, and apparently clueless segment of the GLBT community feels the Rainbow flag is “tired” is no reason to jump right into a redesign of the flag.
One of the posters here suggested adding Orange & Purple. Have you even SEEN the flag? IT ALREADY HAS ORANGE & PURPLE!
Sometimes dear family I think someone needs to jerk your weave and wake you up.
Leave the flag alone!!!
I love the traditional Rainbow Flay, and my late partner and I flew ours at both our homes with pride. Last year though, we purchased a “new” version of the Rainbow Flag, still with the beautiful colored stripes, but this new one also has the Blue Field along with all Fifty Stars as in our Country’s Beloved Flag. So, we like the one better because it has the Field with the State’s Stars, combined with all the Rainbow Stripes. Both concepts brought successfully together. Is additional re-design really necessary?
Leave it alone, like stated in another comment its a “Gay Pride Flag”, it does represent all of us and the diversity within our group!
I think of the original GLBT Flag should not be change.This flag doesn’t seem to be an issue. This flag is a to be resigned for other people that want it to change. This flag represents PROUP & not just for one gender. It reflects the GLBT community and people understand that it should not be changed.
I don’t think that a new flag would be a big deal. It’s not like we have to get rid of the old one, right?
I like the rainbow flag as a general symbol, but there are plenty of different pride symbols already, really. Adding one more shouldn’t be a big deal, imo.
I wouldn’t say redesign. Sure we could make another design, but still keep the original design. It means too much to us.
The Pride Flag is perfect the way it is. It has been such a symbol of liberation for me as a gay man. It represnts us (GLBT) as a diverse group of individuals, yet it unites us as one. Long Live the Rainbow!
Actually, I’m not sure a new design of the pride flag would be understood (neither by “us” nor by the “others”). There’s no need at all of such a thing. I mean, it is a universal symbol, and it represents explicitly our community. And not only gays or lesbians or B’s or T’s or Q’s or etc, but all the people (including straights) that fight with us for a non discriminative society.
Adding a new symbol would just add imho some noise. And if something really “new” comes up, I’m not even sure people would take it as a representative symbol, the pride flag being such an institution…
You are kidding, right? Let’s look at this from a strictly pragmatic and business-like manner: Do you realize that the flag is a “brand”? Do you realize that companies work for years to get their products “branded” By the way, I strongly agree with EOZ who stated that
“It is a PRIDE flag, not a gay flag.” It is already all inclusive! Again, we have a “brand”, folks. People have actually fought, including ME, for that flag. Some have unfortunately died. Please remember those that have come before you young folks, and show US AND the flag respect deserved. Please stop this thred. It is just wrong on many levels. thanks for reading. Annie G
No change, just bring back the original! Unfortunately the “original” 8 color flag is rarely, if ever, seen these days. The original flag had eight stripes, top to bottom, pink (sexuality), red (life), orange (healing), yellow (sunlight), green (nature), turquoise (magic), indigo/blue (serenity), and violet (spirit). The colors don’t represent different groups but different aspects of life and our ability to incorporate them into our lives/community. I had the opportunity to work with Gilbert Baker in Key West in 2003 sewing the 1.25 mile Rainbow Flag for it’s 25th anniversary. To work on that flag for 3 months with Gilbert and the other workers and volunteers, feeling the immense Pride we all had, and still have, seeing the thousands of visitors who were awestruck by the enormity of the project while still recognizing our symbol was a truly life altering experience. I could not even think about having something that has been “Our” symbol, our “Call to Action” be changed.
I think replacing our symbolic flag with a new one carries potential to create a perceived “divide” in the GLBT population. That’s a long shot from our unity-loaded rainbow flag we proudly sport today. Do we need that?
Thought of the day,
-NorthwayJ
You should change your flag to colors specifically for gay people, the rainbow is everyones, those who are not gay want to wear these colors without the feeling by those who are gay that, these people are part of the gay community.
It is unfair.
Maria, what colors would those be? Are there specific colors for gay people?
I agree with MariaAntonietta. The LGBT community should find something new and unique to represent themselves. Create your own rainbow somehow maybe, but give the traditional rainbow to everyone. I love colors and now almost feel discriminated because I’m not allowed to identify myself with the rainbow anymore. I honestly miss it. And love to all people, whoever your are, whatever you think, but can’t we please all share the rainbow and love it simply for what it is with no social label? All the colors of the rainbow should be shared by all the people of this world. Please give it back to everyone.
I feel the flag should stay as is. Them colors mean a lot to the gays and lesbians includin myself. As for bi people they need their on flag jus like states don’t share a flag why should we? the rainbow is family to us
I have no problem with anyone who is gay. That’s your own private business, ( that should stay private). I don’t really want to hear about anyone’s sexual experiences. ( once again, SHOULD be Private). BUT……I am not gay and have always loved the rainbow. I wore rainbow trimmed clothes whenever I could find them since I was a child. Why do you people have the right to steal this symbol for your own? Who gave YOU the rainbow??? ! !