And, on closer analysis, I came to understand them as narrow statements of identity politics that invite the very kinds of division they claim to remedy. Nevertheless, my initial reaction to both new flags was similar: they’re flagrantly disrespectful of an historic symbol of LGBTQ+ people, pride, and community. They respond to real, enduring problems and deserve to be taken seriously and considered on their merits. Unlike the original rainbow Pride flag, Quasar’s flag is not in the public domain.īoth proposals for new pride flags are well-intended: a desire to create an inclusive visual symbol of the diverse LGBTQ+ community and raise awareness of those still marginalized within that community and the wider society. Quasar has since commercialized that design, selling a range of products featuring the Progress flag and licensing it to other manufacturers. Quasar’s design has attracted a lot of buzz and a Kickstarter campaign to mass-produce the new flag raised almost twice as much as the original $14,000 goal. Xe (Quasar uses xe/xem pronouns) said the black stripe also represented, “ those living with AIDS, those no longer living, and the stigma surrounding them….” A PRIDE Flag Reboot.” CC (BY-NC-SA) license.
