Manchester Pride officially adopts eight-stripe Pride flag to better recognise LGBT+ people of colour
"The iconic rainbow must adapt to reflect the modern society that we live in."
By Will Stroude
Words: Will Stroude
Manchester Pride have put inclusion front and centre of their plans this year after adopting the eight-stripe Pride flag as their official banner for 2019.
The flag, a variation on Gilbert Baker’s classic 1978 rainbow design, features an extra black and brown stripe to better recognise BAME (black, Asian and minority ethnic) LGBT+ people.
It was first adopted by Philadelphia Pride organisers in 2017, and will now form part of Manchester pride’s official logo.
“For many years, the LGBT+ community has collectively stood under the iconic six-stripe rainbow flag,” organisers said in a statement.
“But in the 40 years since its creation, the community has evolved into many facets, with each one creating and identifying with their own symbols and flags.”
Mark Fletcher, chief executive for Manchester Pride, said of the change: “We have seen that the iconic rainbow must adapt to reflect the modern society that we live in.
“A lot has happened but there is still a long way to go, especially in the recognition of people of colour in the LGBT+ community.
“To highlight the importance of this we’ve decided to adopt the 8 stripe flag created by the city of Philadelphia, USA as part of our logo.”
The move comes as Manchester Pride announces a brand new home for its annual music festival, after the event was forced to move from its home in the city’s gay village last year.
Manchester Pride Live – formerly known as The Big Weekend – will take place over the weekend of 24-25 August at Mayfield, a disused railway depot and indoor venue close to Manchester Piccadilly Station and a 10-minute walk away from the site of the former event in Sackvill Street – click here for more.
Tickets for Manchester Pride Live are set to go on sale on 31 January and you can pre-register here.