Pride Week 2022: Flag Raising Ceremony...Did you know the meaning behind the Pride Flag?

Flag Raising Ceremony

Yesterday afternoon The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice team with Corporate Communication had the honour of participating in a flag raising ceremony to mark the beginning of Pride 2022!

"...More than 75 people turned out at the Civic Centre today for a flag-raising ceremony to mark the beginning of Pride Week 2022. Marianne Willson of CKPride called Chatham-Kent’s recognition of the annual event “spectacular” noting that for the first time the Pride Flag will fly at municipal service centres across the community. Acting Mayor Counc. Jamie McGrail said she’s proud the community is becoming more inclusive and noted that the week’s events “are for everybody.” Included among the week’s events are a display at the Chatham-Kent Library, a barbeque, trivia night and pub night. The week concludes with a parade, a festival at Tecumseh Park and a church service at St. Andrews United Church. Throughout the week, Willson said people are encouraged to share pictures and videos in support of CK Pride through social media. Check out the municipal social media accounts for images and for details on events visit https://www.facebook.com/PrideCK/"

-Corporate Initiatives, The Municipality of Chatham-Kent

Did you know the meaning behind the Pride Flag?

The Pride flag is more than just a rainbow of colours, it was designed in 1978 as a “symbol of hope” and liberation. Each colour on the traditional Pride flag has a meaning: red is life, orange is healing, yellow is sunlight, green is nature, blue is serenity and purple is spirit. The flag has been updated several times through the years to better reflect the diversity within 2SLGBTQ+ communities and groups who have historically faced oppression and discrimination in Pride movements. In 2018 V shapes stripes were added – blue, pink and white to incorporate trans communities and brown and black to include BIPOC communities. In 2021, a purple ring on a yellow background was added to reflect intersex communities. Visit a Municipal service center to see the Pride flags hanging in person!