She is a powerful advocate for black people within the entertainment industry and this flag spiked in popularity after she elevated its visibility. Lena Waithe’s choice to wear the Philadelphia Pride Flag as a cape at the 2018 Met Gala is the perfect example of this type of inclusion. The addition of black and brown stripes to the traditional pride flag symbolized people of color who are often not represented in the queer community. The flag launched in 2017 as part of the “More Color More Pride” Campaign in Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Pride Flag came about in response to the demand for more inclusivity across the LGBTQ+ community. The turquoise color was also taken off the flag to keep an even number of colors. Hot pink wasn’t included in the fabrication of these flags, because the fabric was hard to find as the demand for the flag started to rise. This flag includes the colors red, orange, yellow, green, indigo, and violet on it. One of the most well known and used of the LGBT flags throughout history has been the 1979, six-color flag. Violet represents the spirit of LGBTQ people.Each color in the flag also had a specific meaning. Inspired by the classic song “Over the Rainbow” from the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, Baker created a rainbow flag to represent LGBTQ folks. Tasked by Harvey Milk, a historic figure in the fight for LGBTQ rights, to create a flag for the queer community, Baker created a rainbow flag with eight different colors. Queer Events supports the Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission on Canada as well as the Calls to Action that are not listed but originate from the Indigenous peoples on this land.The history of the original pride flag should be in textbooks and taught in school. Advocate and stand in solidarity with the First Nations, Inuit and Metis communities and support their rights to autonomy.Ongoing consultation, involvement and representation of Queer Indigenous and Two Spirit members of our community in the work we do.Support requests from our local Queer Indigenous groups in any way we can.Create more spaces in which Queer Indigenous and Two Spirit members of our community can safely connect.Use our platform to increase the representation of Indigenous histories and people in our community.As an LGBT2Q+ organization Queer Events is committed to be constantly working together with Queer Indigenous and Two Spirit members of our community to Queer Events stands in solidarity with the Indigenous peoples who are the caretakers of this land. One of many lasting impacts of colonization on Two-Spirit and Queer people, is an increased level of homophobia and transphobia within many Indigenous communities. The western religious values and belief systems that were imposed on Indigenous people condemned any sort of sexual or gender diversity, and Two-Spirit and Queer Indigenous people were killed or forced into assimilation and hiding.
![yellow white purple black gay flag yellow white purple black gay flag](https://img0.etsystatic.com/133/0/10580517/il_340x270.1034614864_stoj.jpg)
As part of the colonization process, there has been an attempted erasure of Two-Spirit people. Before colonization, Two-Spirit people were included and respected as valued community members, often holding revered roles such as healers, matchmakers, and counsellors, among many others.
![yellow white purple black gay flag yellow white purple black gay flag](https://s3.scoopwhoop.com/anj/rainbow-flag/154529260.png)
We recognize the impacts of colonization on our Two Spirit and Queer Indigenous communities. Land acknowledgements do not exist in a past tense, or historical context: colonialism is a current ongoing process, and we are mindful of our present participation. We recognize that our work takes place on these traditional territories. Today, London and the surrounding area are subject to the Upper Canada treaties and specifically the Longwoods Treaty of 1822. We also recognize the contributions of Métis, Inuit, and other Indigenous peoples have made, both in shaping and strengthening this community in particular, and our province and country as a whole. We recognize and deeply appreciate their historic connection to this place. We also acknowledge the Attawandaran (Neutral) peoples who once settled this region alongside the Algonquin and Haudenosaunee peoples, and used this land as their traditional beaver hunting grounds. The three First Nations communities closest in proximity to us are the Chippewa of the Thames First Nation (part of the Anishinaabe), Oneida Nation of the Thames (part of the Haudenosaunee), and the Munsee-Delaware Nation (part of the Lenape). The three current and long standing Indigenous groups of this geographic region are the Anishinaabek, the Haudenosaunee and the Lenape. Queer Events acknowledges with gratitude and respect, the longstanding relationships of the three local First Nations groups of this land and place, Deshkan Ziibiing also known as London, Ontario.