When a flag has power, fly it
In the mid-1070s, Harvey Milk recognised the need for a positive symbol for the gay community. Something every member could be proud of.
Milk approached Gilbert Baker with the brief. Barker was a gay activist and renowned drag queen. He was also an expert behind a sewing machine owing to all the flamboyant outfits required to be a member of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence (his drag activist group).
The most prevalent mark associated with the gay community at this stage was the pink triangle used to donate homosexuals in concentration camps. But Baker wasn’t interested in reclaiming a negative symbol, he thought the community “needed something beautiful… something from us”.
In his mind the flag was the ultimate source of “proclaiming power”. A very American response.
And the rainbow followed simple from this thought, it was a “natural flag from the sky”.
Since Baker’s first flag many iterated have been created and claimed.
The latest version of the rainbow is an armband that stands against discrimination of any type. Six colours, red, black, green, pink, yellow and blue. It was meant to be worn by football captains at the World Cup.
Harry Kane could have worn that armband today and made a very public statement about the continued importance of gay rights. The worst that would have happened was a booking. Not ideal, not the end of the world.
The man who briefed Gilbert Baker to make a symbol of pride died four months after the the flag was first flown. He was shot five times, including twice in the head.
In Qatar they stop short of the death penalty for homosexuality. One to three years in prison is deemed sufficient punishment for being gay.
Acting with distinction requires putting something at risk. It’s always simpler to stick with the status quo. Often it’s only silence that’s needed.
Kowtowing to FIFA is a familiar behaviour for the FA to adopt. It’s more pink triangle than rainbow flag. We might not expect better, but we should demand it.
Don’t fall for the familiar. Demand distinction.