Here are some resources that may be of interest. They are roughly divided into information sources, local organizations, and opportunities for advocacy.

Information

Pride Flags

The flag we fly is the Intersex-Inclusive Progress Pride Flag. It was designed in 2021 by Valentino Vecchietti in the UK. The design represents several updates since the original Gay Pride Flag also known as the Rainbow Flag that was designed by Gilbert Baker in 1978.

The colors brown and black are meant to call attention to the unique struggles of LGBTQIA+ who are members of racialized minorities; they were first seen in the 2017 Philadephia Pride Flag where the brown and black stripes were added as additional horizontal bars.

The chevron shape (reminiscent of a Play button or rightward-pointing arrow) was introduced in 2018 with Daniel Quasar’s new design the Progress Pride Flag. In addition to moving the brown and black bars to the chevron shape, it also adds the colors of the Trans Pride Flag (blue, pink, and white), to highlight the additional progress needed for the trans community.

And then in 2021, the imagery of the Intersex Pride Flag (a circle on a yellow background) was inserted into the chevron to also call attention to the often overlooked intersex community.

Pride

It means many things to many people. A significant factor for many is their level of security and quality of life. People whose daily life is unwelcoming of LGBTQIA+ folks often seek out Pride activities as a way to experience being in a crowd where they don’t have to be on high alert for violence or negativity. It’s a brief chance to let their guard down and live authentically. For those fortunate enough to live surrounded by support, Pride can be a chance to give back, to practice advocacy, or just a big party. For everyone, it’s an opportunity to learn about the history of LGBTQIA+ folks.

The month of June is a common time for Pride celebrations as it honors the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall uprising and the events following.

The name Pride may stem from 1966 Los Angeles group Personal Rights in Defense and Education (PRIDE).

While those were pivotal moments, it wasn’t the beginning of the timeline for LGBTQIA+ rights and there is much more work needed to protect the liberties of queer people here and everywhere.

Local Organizations

If you know of a local organization that we should consider adding to this list, please contact us.

• Lancaster County Chooses Love
• Lancaster Pride
• Gracie’s House
• LGBT Center of Greater Reading
• Rainbow Rose Center (York and Adams counties)

Opportunities for Advocacy

• Petition local and state lawmakers for nondiscrimination laws, repeal of unconstitutional marriage bans, and ask your representatives to stop trying to legislatively erase trans, nonbinary, and queer folks.
• Reach out to a organization like those listed above and ask what help they most need. Resources are always thin: time, money, supplies, transportation, etc.
• Consider whether you can safely fly Pride in solidarity, or show some other visible sign of inclusivity and welcome. Each light we shine makes the world a little brighter.

And please Send Us a Note with your ideas for any of the above.