SAVE THE RAINBOW FLAG
Winner! 2024 Webby People’s Voice Award
for Social: Public Service & Activism.
Winner! 2024 Anthem Award
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Community Outreach.
HELP US SAVE THE RAINBOW FLAG->
Latest News
- BAN: Webster, New York – The Webster Town Board voted 3-2 to remove a recently raised LGBTQ Pride flag from Town Hall grounds and adopted a policy limiting flag displays on town property to government flags. Supporters of the removal cited government neutrality, while opponents said the Pride flag signaled inclusion and support for LGBTQ residents. Read more here.
- BAN: Centerville, Utah – City Council member Cheylynn Hayman is continuing to challenge Utah’s government Pride flag ban (HB77) by displaying a Pride flag on the council dais. Rep. Trevor Lee, the bill’s sponsor, argues the display violates state law and has called for stronger penalties, while the dispute could lead to further legal and political battles. Read more here.
- WIN: Utah House District 16 – Anti-LGBTQ+ state Rep. Trevor Lee, who sponsored Utah’s Pride flag ban on government property, conceded defeat in his Republican primary to Bob Stevenson. Lee had been a leading advocate for restrictions on Pride displays and other conservative culture-war policies. Read more here.
LEARN THE FACTS: FIGHTING FLAG BANS
Writer Tim Murphy has published this incredible article that lays out in detail our fight to stop people from banning the rainbow flag. Read
The Rainbow Flag is Under Attack
THERE HAVE BEEN OVER 50+ RECENT BANS OF THE RAINBOW FLAG
The Gilbert Baker Foundation and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Are Fighting Back. We’re tracking them on our live map below.
Stoughton, MA
Monongalia County, WV
Luzerne County, PA
Gwinn, MI
Davis County, UT
Anne Arundel County, MD
Perkasie, PA
Yamil County, OR
Lake Central, IR
Wales, WI
Kettle Moraine, WI
Bohemia, NY
Connetquot, NY
Stewartsville, NJ
Southington, CT
Green Bay, WI
Huntington Beach
Long Valley, NJ
https://newjersey.news12.com/long-valley-middle-school-removes-lgbtq-rainbow-signs-from-school
McHenry County, IL
Milton, MA
Kennewick, WA
Wilton Manors, FL
Washington, DC
Tallahassee, FL
Spring, Texas
Holden, ME
Springfield, MO
Carlsbad, CA
Arlington, VA
Republicans in the House of Representatives pushed through an amendment that would prevent the Department of Defense (DOD) from flying LGBTQ+ Pride flags and other forms of support for LGBTQ service members. Biden is expected to veto it. More
De Pere, WI
Hurricane, WV
Rio Rancho, NM
Hamtramck, MI
Sunol, California
Enfield, CT
https://www.them.us/story/pride-flags-banned-on-town-property-enfield-connecticut
Boonton, NJ
Watertown, NY
Downey, CA
Woodstock, VA
Virginia's Shenandoah County School Board bans flag
https://www.whsv.com/2024/07/12/shendandoah-county-school-board-passes-flag-policy/
Chino, ca
- Conservative Chino Valley Unified school board bans pride flags. More
Berwick, pa
New Berwick policy bans Pride flags in school, causes outrage among LGBTQ allies. More.
Frederick County, Va
School board in Frederick County, VA, bans flag in new classroom policy. More
Helena, MT
BAN: Montana HB819 restricts flags displayed on government property and public schools. Read More.
Johnston County, NC
Johnston County Public Schools Bans Rainbow Flag in Classrooms. Read more here.
Erie, CO
Erie, CO town council votes to stop flying the rainbow flag on town poles. Read more.
Spokane Valley, WA
Spokane Valley, WA city council votes to give mayor final say regarding what flags can be displayed publicly. Read more.
Stonewall Monument
Webster, NY
Centerville, UT
Stoughton, MA
Monongalia County, WV
Luzerne County, PA
Gwinn, MI
Davis County, UT
Anne Arundel County, MD
Perkasie, PA
Yamil County, OR
Lake Central, IR
Wales, WI
Kettle Moraine, WI
Bohemia, NY
Connetquot, NY
Stewartsville, NJ
Southington, CT
Green Bay, WI
Huntington Beach
Long Valley, NJ
https://newjersey.news12.com/long-valley-middle-school-removes-lgbtq-rainbow-signs-from-school
McHenry County, IL
Milton, MA
Kennewick, WA
Wilton Manors, FL
Washington, DC
Tallahassee, FL
Spring, Texas
Bethel, ME
Springfield, MO
Carlsbad, CA
Arlington, VA
Republicans in the House of Representatives pushed through an amendment that would prevent the Department of Defense (DOD) from flying LGBTQ+ Pride flags and other forms of support for LGBTQ service members. Biden is expected to veto it. More
De Pere, WI
Hurricane, WV
Rio Rancho, NM
Hamtramck, MI
Sunol, CA
- Sunol fallout continues: Board president files restraining order against former trustee
- California school board president gets death threats after Pride flag ban
- Sunol Glen school board meeting to discuss repealing the Pride flag ban
- Sunol school board refuses to reverse Pride flag ban as tensions simmer
Enfield, CT
https://www.them.us/story/pride-flags-banned-on-town-property-enfield-connecticut
Boonton, NJ
Alabma
Watertown, NY
Downey, NY
Woodstock, VA
Ban: Virginia’s Shenandoah County School Board bans flag
https://www.whsv.com/2024/07/12/shendandoah-county-school-board-passes-flag-policy/
Helena, MT
BAN: Montana HB819 restricts flags displayed on government property and public schools. Read More.
Johnston County, NC
Johnston County Public Schools Bans Rainbow Flag in Classrooms. Read more here.
Erie, CO
Erie, CO town council votes to stop flying the rainbow flag on town poles. Read more.
Spokane Valley, WA
Spokane Valley, WA city council votes to give mayor final say regarding what flags can be displayed publicly. Read more.
Stonewall Monument
Webster, NY
Centerville, UT
ACLU and Gilbert Baker Foundation join forces, create Toolkit to help fight censorship and anti-LGBTQ legislation
New York City A dangerous new trend is emerging across America. More than 50+ US communities have banned the Rainbow Flag, the global symbol of LGBTQ+ equality.
They include Cold Spring, NY; Stoughton, MA; Davis, UT; Newburg, OR; Morgantown, WV; and Huntington Beach, CA.
The Gilbert Baker Foundation has responded with an aggressive multi-part national campaign.
“Save the Rainbow Flag” is a lifeline to those under fire, offering a dynamic tool kit to help push back against conservative groups trying to ban the flag. It suggests pro-active tactics like community hearings, contacting politicians, letters to your local newspaper, media interviews, petitioning, and mobilizing neighbors. The tool kit’s centerpiece is a letter from the American Civil Liberties Union, citing laws that prove the illegality of banning the Rainbow Flag.
“This rising incidence of towns and schools banning the LGBTQ+ Rainbow Flag is deeply disturbing,“ said Li Nowlin-Sohl, Senior Staff Attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation. “As an organization dedicated to upholding First Amendment rights, the ACLU proudly supports the Gilbert Baker Foundation’s ‘Save The Rainbow Flag’ campaign to push back against this dangerous trend. Censorship powered by bigotry hurts us all.”
The flag bans are part of a rise in American conservative censorship, including book banning, school curriculum changes, language shaming, and restriction of reproductive rights.
“Make no mistake; right-wing groups want to roll back LGBTQ+ rights, and they’re starting with banning the Rainbow Flag,” said Charley Beal, president of the Gilbert Baker Foundation. “The Save the Rainbow Flag campaign empowers people at the grass-roots level to fight back. Already, bans have been reversed, but every month brings a new threat to LGBTQ+ rights and equality. It’s time to stop the haters.”
***************
For more information about The Gilbert Baker Foundation, visit gilbertbaker.com. Founded in 2019, the Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that honors the legacy of artist-activist Gilbert Baker (1951-2017), creator of the original Rainbow Flag, through a series of cultural and educational initiatives.
The American Civil Liberties Union is our nation’s guardian of liberty, working daily in courts, legislatures and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties that the Constitution and laws of the United States guarantee everyone in this country.
JOIN THE FIGHT!
1. Notify us about A FLAG BAN
2. Visit our toolkit page to download helpful documents.
- Step by step instructions on how to reach out to local officials
- Gilbert Baker Foundation statement
- ACLU Open Letter
- Logo and poster files to help create your own local resistance campaign.
- Sample letters for local officials
3. Send us articles and links
We will spread the word through our network and share them on social media.
JOIN THE FIGHT!
1. Notify us about A FLAG BAN
2. Visit our toolkit page to download helpful documents.
- Step by step instructions on how to reach out to local officials
- Gilbert Baker Foundation statement
- ACLU Open Letter
- Logo and poster files to help create your own local resistance campaign.
- Sample letters for local officials
3. Send us articles and links
We will spread the word through our network and share them on social media.
INSTAGRAM AR FILTER
Save the Rainbow Flag allows you to raise the Rainbow Flag where it’s been banned
#SavetheRainbowFlag filter allows you to raise the Rainbow Flag in areas where it’s been banned. Developed by INNOCEAN USA and Tool, in partnership with the Gilbert Baker Foundation, it gives supporters the tools to raise awareness while raising the Pride Flag. This filter allows you to place an AR (virtual) Pride Flag in front of your local city hall, school or anywhere the flag has been banned.
Once you capture the flag waving proudly, you can post via Instagram, tag the location, and add #SavetheRainbowFlag – spreading awareness of the issue.
Use the QRC code below to try the AR filter
ACLU and Gilbert Baker Foundation join forces, create Toolkit to help fight censorship and anti-LGBTQ legislation
New York City A dangerous new trend is emerging across America. More than 50+ US communities have banned the Rainbow Flag, the global symbol of LGBTQ+ equality.
They include Cold Spring, NY; Stoughton, MA; Davis, UT; Newburg, OR; Morgantown, WV; and Huntington Beach, CA.
The Gilbert Baker Foundation has responded with an aggressive multi-part national campaign.
Learn how others have fought back and won here.
“Save the Rainbow Flag” is a lifeline to those under fire, offering a dynamic tool kit to help push back against conservative groups trying to ban the flag. It suggests pro-active tactics like community hearings, contacting politicians, letters to your local newspaper, media interviews, petitioning, and mobilizing neighbors. The tool kit’s centerpiece is a letter from the American Civil Liberties Union, citing laws that prove the illegality of banning the Rainbow Flag.
“This rising incidence of towns and schools banning the LGBTQ+ Rainbow Flag is deeply disturbing,“ said Li Nowlin-Sohl, Senior Staff Attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation. “As an organization dedicated to upholding First Amendment rights, the ACLU proudly supports the Gilbert Baker Foundation’s ‘Save The Rainbow Flag’ campaign to push back against this dangerous trend. Censorship powered by bigotry hurts us all.”
The flag bans are part of a rise in American conservative censorship, including book banning, school curriculum changes, language shaming, and restriction of reproductive rights.
“Make no mistake; right-wing groups want to roll back LGBTQ+ rights, and they’re starting with banning the Rainbow Flag,” said Charley Beal, president of the Gilbert Baker Foundation. “The Save the Rainbow Flag campaign empowers people at the grass-roots level to fight back. Already, bans have been reversed, but every month brings a new threat to LGBTQ+ rights and equality. It’s time to stop the haters.”
***************
For more information about The Gilbert Baker Foundation, visit gilbertbaker.com. Founded in 2019, the Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that honors the legacy of artist-activist Gilbert Baker (1951-2017), creator of the original Rainbow Flag, through a series of cultural and educational initiatives.
The American Civil Liberties Union is our nation’s guardian of liberty, working daily in courts, legislatures and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties that the Constitution and laws of the United States guarantee everyone in this country.
