The design for a new "progress Pride flag" is gaining momentum on social media, with its creator starting a crowdfunding campaign to manufacture flags and stickers which reflect the need to "keep progress moving forward in all aspects of our community.”
Created by queer, nonbinary artist Daniel Quasar, the new flag incorporates black and brown stripes, as well as elements of the transgender flag.
In a post on social media, Quasar wrote that, as well as queer people of colour, the black stripe serves to represent “those living with AIDS, those no longer living, and the stigma surrounding them.”
Quasar went on to explain his design, writing: “The 6 stripe LGBT flag should be separated from the newer stripes because of their difference in meaning, as well as to shift focus and emphasis to what is important in our current community climate."
They continued: “The main section of the flag (background) includes the traditional 6 stripe LGBT flag as seen in its original form so as not to take away from its original meaning.”
It's not the first time members of the LGBTIQ+ community have debated the merits of altering the traditional rainbow flag, originally created by Gilbert Baker, to reflect the ongoing struggles faced by trans people and queer people of colour.
Last year Philadelphia Pride added brown and black stripes to their flag, which in turn prompted the Victorian Pride Centre in Melbourne to do the same.
Quasar's Kickstarter campaign has already raised over $20,000, surpassing its initial target of $14,000.
