This was done to represent the LGBT+ communities of colour. In 2017, the city of Philadelphia updated the flag to include a black and brown stripe at the top. So, the new flag now goes as follows Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Royal Blue and Violet. The contemporary version, which has been used since 1979 is a six-stripe version where the Turquoise and Indigo were changed into a single stripe of Royal Blue. The next version of the flag removed the pink due to a shortage of fabric. The original flag had eight colours, Pink which symbolised sexuality, Red for life, Orange for healing, Yellow for the sun, Green for nature, Turquoise for art, Indigo for harmony and Violet for the spirit. The flag is not a true rainbow, instead all the colours are depicted as horizontal stripes. However the flag has since gone on to represent the wide spectrum of marginalised persons and sexualised identities around the world, especially in their effort for recognition, self-empowerment and equal rights. The rainbow flag, known also as the rainbow Pride flag was designed in 1978 by Gilbert Baker for the San Francisco Gay Freedom Celebration. 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 most known symbol associated with the LGBT+ movement is the rainbow flag. 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. 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. 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.