2020

❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

The colors that represent the Pride flag are: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, & Violet. It is said the reason rainbow colors were selected was during a festival, Gilbert Baker saw a sea of people and said the colors painted a spectrum of diversity. The colors came to mean the diversity and unity of the community.

Red = Life❤️

Today, we want to share what the color red means, red on the flag is to symbolize “LIFE” and how important it is to keep living your truth because no one can know what YOU FEEL.

“Life begins where fear ends.” – Osho Bhagwam Shree Rajneesh
“You will face many defeats in your life, but never let yourself be defeated.” – Maya Angelou.
“Your life isn’t yours if you always care what others think.” – Unknown.

We want to bring light to the world by shedding some color during such a dark time in society where everyone is at odds. All we all want is just peace and love from others; is that too much to ask for? Every day the LGBT+ community faces adversity and systemic biases towards them from majority of society. It shouldn’t be this hard. All they want is to be loved and be loved in return; ISN’T that what we all want at the end of the day? Pride is to celebrate the history and accomplishments being made in the community more and more each day. I know we still have a long way to go, but even the small steps count because it’s a change from yesterday❤️🏳️‍🌈🤝

Orange = Healing🧡

Today, we want to share what the color orange means, orange on the flag is to symbolize “HEALING” and how important it is to heal in your own time because no one knows how YOU FEEL.

“Healing doesn’t mean the damage never existed. It means the damage no longer controls your life.” – Shah Rukh Khan
“If you want to fly, give up everything that weighs you down.” – Buddha
“Trauma creates change you DON’T choose. Healing is about creating change you DO choose.” – Michelle Rosenthall
“Sometimes healing comes after helping someone that is going through the same trauma you went through. Help yourself by helping others.” – Ace Antonio Hall

Regardless if a survivor or not of sexual assault, trauma is trauma. Healing isn’t a one size fits all. Everyone handles healing differently. Healing can feel: messy, hopeful, steps back, joyous, confusing, sudden, stagnant, scary, steps forward, heavy, fleeting, boring, exciting, lonely, & overwhelming. It’s okay to take your time. It’s a process from positive and negative feelings. As a community where hatred is directed towards daily healing is a daily process to face. Some days feel like there’s no way to heal from, but even during your darkest days where you feel buried with no surface in sight; you’ve actually been planted. with self-care & proper tools you’ll be able to bloom from your trauma.

Yellow = Sunlight💛

Today, we want to share what the color yellow means, yellow on the flag is to symbolize “SUNLIGHT” and how important it is to find the light in your own darkness💛

“I hope the morning sun continues to remind you: YOU ARE WORTHY OF NEW BEGINNINGS.” – Morgan Harper Nichols
“Don’t let the shadows of yesterday spoil the sunshine of tomorrow. Live for today.” – Nandina Morris
“Turn your face to the sun and all of the shadows fall behind you.” – Maori Proverb
“No sun outlasts it’s sunset, but it will rise again and bring the dawn.” – Maya Angelou

Some days you may feel like you’ll never be able to pull yourself out from the darkness, but it is important to find the tiniest bit of light shining through and grasp for that. Tomorrow is a new day and we will rise again. Whenever you feel like you’re stuck in the darkness just know you have support from us so please reach out whenever you need someone to speak with. If you are fortunate enough to have a support system please reach out. We want you to never feel alone. We care. We accept. We love. We believe.🏳️‍🌈

Green = Nature💚

Today, we want to share what the color green means, green on the flag is to symbolize “NATURE.” It reminds us how important it is to stop and appreciate the beauty in our surroundings; to focus on the beauty and growth that emerges from a dark or harsh environment.

“The day I decided that my life was magical, there was suddenly magic all around me” –Marabeth Quin
“A walk in nature walks the soul back home” –Mary Davis
“Let us live like flowers, wild and beautiful and drenched in sun” –Ellen Everett
“No matter how chaotic it is, wildflowers will still spring up in the middle of nowhere” –Sheryl Crow
“In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks” –John Muir

Nature has a way of reviving us and helps bring focus on our inner self. Nature can reduce anger, fear, and stress while increasing pleasant feelings. It is shown to help to reduce blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and the production of stress hormones. Put down your phone, turn off the TV, and go outside to connect with nature. Take a walk or find a place to sit, like a bench, a patch of grass, or even the beach. As you walk, or sit, take a couple deep breaths and bring your attention to five things you can see, four things you can touch or feel, and three sounds you can hear. Then try to name three things you are grateful for in this moment.

Blue = Harmony💙

Today, we want to share what the color blue means, blue on the flag is to symbolize “HARMONY” and how important it is to find harmony with each other. We must live in peace together. Today we are seeing our nation come together as a whole to represent everyone’s rights. Maybe someday we will be able to all be at peace and in perfect harmony as a nation; one can hope!

“Balance is not about the hours you spend. It’s about the harmony you feel” – Unknown
“He who lives in harmony with himself lives in harmony with the universe” –Marcus Aurelius
“Life is a balance between holding on and letting go” –Rumi

Purple = Spirit💜

Today, we want to share what the color purple means, purple on the flag symbolizes “SPIRIT.” Spirit is a hard concept to define. Spirit is the part of us where our feelings and character live, the soul. It can also be the driving force to spark change. Spirit is not something to be seen or touched, but felt.

“There is no other spiritual teacher than your own soul” – Vivekananda
“Difficulties are meant to rouse, not discourage. The human spirit is to grow strong by conflict.” – William Ellery Channing
“Never underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit. We are all the same in this notion: the potential for greatness lives within each of us” – Wilma Rudolph
“The human spirit is more powerful than any drug – and that is what needs to be nourished: with work, play, friendship, family. These are the things that matter.” – Robin Williams
“The human spirit holds strength beyond measure, the kind that will break down the walls of all the blocks that come your way.” – Nikki Rowe

Sexual assault can damage our spirit. It can knock us down and forever change how we view the world. Navigating intense emotions, flashbacks, or crises of faith are parts of the healing process. Eventually, over time, we find peace, happiness, and meaning again. Our spirit heals and becomes stronger than ever. Our spirit guides us to be a part of change. A change that means equal rights for everyone, and hopefully, will one day bring an end to sexual violence.