Being offended by black and brown stripes on the pride flag proves why they’re necessary

The original pride flag, created by the late (and incredibly great) Gilbert Baker in 1978, was a response to the racism in the LGBT community and stood to represent a whole community regardless of race. The flag sent a more positive message compared to the previously used pink triangle, which was once imposed by Nazis to identify gay men. The newly used variant of the pride flag isn’t saying that the rainbow flag didn’t include people of colour, but is a response to racism both in and out of the community. So why the anger? It was – and still is – queer POC (people of colour) who were trailblazers and leaders of the LGBT+ revolutions across the planet. It was immigrants and sex workers, homeless youths and butch lesbians, trans women and drag queens who took the grief and hurt their community felt every single gay to generate and demand social change to better the lives of everyone within their community, not just themselves. Marsha P Johnson – a black trans woman – did not throw the first brick at the Stonewall Riots for a future that saw white gays spit hatred and racism across social media regarding two extra colours being added to a symbol of love and acceptance.

Dean Eastmond in Being Offended by Black and Brown Stripes on the Pride Flag Proves Why They’re Necessary (Hiskind)