THE PRIDE FLAG
1. Context
The month of June recognized worldwide as Pride Month, is marked by many events across India to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community. And you might have noticed that most of these events are marked by a flag a simple red-to-violet rainbow, and in some cases, the more updated version of it, which is known as the Intersex-Inclusive Progress Pride Flag, created by Valentino Vecchietti of Intersex Equality Rights UK in 2021. This is actually a new version of the previous Progress Pride Flag created in 2018 by Daniel Quasar.
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Image Source: The Indian Express
2. What is a Pride Flag?
- A Pride flag essentially represents the pride associated with LGTQIA+ social movements.
- For centuries people belonging to the community have had to fight for basic rights in countries across the world.
- The struggle continues in many countries. Uganda, for instance, recently passed a law criminalizing the LGBTQIA+ community.
- In India, too, gay sex was decriminalized as recently as 2018.
- The Pride flag was used by activists, members of the community, and allies as a symbol of resistance and acceptance.
- It was designed by renowned American artist and activist Gilbert Baker.
3. Evolution of the Rainbow Pride Flag:
- The original Rainbow Pride Flag was designed by Gilbert Baker and debuted in 1978.
- It was created in response to the request from Harvey Milk and Artie Bressan Jr. to represent a new gay consciousness and freedom.
- The flag symbolized hope and inclusivity, transcending nationalistic and territorial connotations.
- Over the years, new elements have been added to the flag to reflect the diversity of the LGBTQIA+ community.
- In 2017, black and brown stripes were added to represent people of color, conceptualized by Amber Hikes.
- In 2018, Daniel Quasar redesigned the flag, incorporating transgender flag colors and a chevron shape symbolizing forward movement.
- The most recent update in 2021 by Valentino Vecchietti introduced an intersex-inclusive element, featuring a purple circle over a yellow triangle in the chevron part of the flag, representing the Intersex pride flag.
4. Inclusion of Intersex in the Pride Flag:
- Intersex people have often been underrepresented within LGBTQIA+ narratives.
- Intersex individuals are born with sex characteristics that do not align with typical binary notions of male or female bodies.
- In 2021, Intersex Equality Rights (UK) incorporated the intersex flag into the Pride Progress flag, creating the Intersex-Inclusive Pride flag.
- The redesign aimed to raise awareness and visibility for intersex rights and representation.
- The Intersex-Inclusive Pride flag features the colors yellow and purple, contrasting with the traditional gendered colors of blue and pink.
- The inclusion of the intersex flag recognizes the unique experiences and challenges faced by intersex individuals within the broader LGBTQIA+ community.
5. What do the colors of the new flag signify?
- Red= Life
- Orange= Healing
- Yellow= New Ideas
- Green= Prosperity
- Blue= Serenity
- Violet= Spirit
- Chevron Part
- Black and brown= people of color
- White, blue, and pink= transpeople
- Yellow with purple circle= Intersex people
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For Prelims: LGBTQIA+ community, Pride flag, Intersex Equality Rights (UK)
For Mains:1.How has the recognition and acceptance of the Intersex-Inclusive Progress Pride Flag evolved in India, and what does it signify for the LGBTQIA+ community? Discuss its significance in promoting inclusivity. (250 Words).
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Previous year Question
1. In India, Legal Services Authorities provide free legal services to which of the following type of citizens? (UPSC 2020)
1. Person with an annual income of less than Rs.1,00,000
2. Transgender with an annual income of less than Rs. 2,00,000
3. Member of Other Backward Classes (OBC) with an annual income of less than Rs. 3,00,000
4. All Senior Citizens
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 3 and 4 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D.1 and 4 only
Answer: A
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Source: The Indian Express
