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.

JOIN THE FIGHT!

1. Notify us about A FLAG BAN

2. Visit our toolkit page to download helpful documents.

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. 

Use the QRC code below to try the AR filter