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History of the Pride Flag
History of the Pride Flag
Melissa L.
Published on 2023.02.14
The rainbow flag, also known as the pride flag, is a main representation of the LGBTQ+ community. It empowers individuals as part of the community, permitting their recognition, as well as allowing their voices to be heard. Not only does it provide a place of sanctuary, it also acknowledges the individuality of each unique person, allowing for more embracement and acceptance of each other. However, with this meaningful definition of the flag, it is also crucial for everyone to take a step back, and learn about the significance of the rainbow flag as well as the reason behind this particular flag. The symbolic choices and designs of the flag enhances its meaning and allows for more possibilities to be expressed.
Science defines a rainbow as a natural phenomenon in which light is refracted to create an image of the seven colours that make up light. In the traditional mindset, rainbows provide a sense of warmth, colour and hope, as it is the beauty after a storm. Thus, in 1978, with the goal of emancipating the LGBTQ+ community, a gay artist named Gilbert Baker designed a flag—one of the most powerful symbols of pride, to really stand up for the identities of the people within the community (Gonzalez). Baker’s utilization of the rainbow initially came from his observations and beliefs that the rainbow was a natural flag of its own. With this, the rainbow’s colours would later on become a voice for embracing diversity.
It wasn't until 1994 that the symbol truly became a widespread representation of the community (Gonzalez). Since then, the flag has brought the people of the LGBTQ+ communities together, establishing them as who they are in current society. Today, there are six main colours that make up the rainbow flag, red—for life, orange—for healing, yellow—for sunlight, green—for nature, indigo—for harmony, and violet—for spirit. Together, the synonymous messages behind the flag are diversity, pride and freedom (Gonzalez).
As the LGBTQ+ community continues to grow, many variations of the flag have been created to represent more specific groups within the community, such as the lesbian pride flag, the bisexual pride flag and many more (Gonzalez). With the creation of the rainbow flag, a lot of individuals have had the opportunity to express themselves more freely. Every year, the community celebrates pride month in June, where everyone is able to take pride in who they are, and to come together for the beginning to a better future (Gonzalez).
Works Cited
Gonzalez, Nora. “How Did the Rainbow Flag Become a Symbol of LGBTQ Pride?” Encyclopædia Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/story/how-did-the-rainbow-flag-become-a-symbol-of-lgbt-pride.
Positive LGBTQ Representation in Nimona (2023)
Positive LGBTQ Representation in Nimona (2023)
Sarah Mahmud
Published on 2024.02.02
A captivating narrative and vibrant animation have made Nimona (2023), based on ND Stevenson's graphic novel of the same name, a beloved animated film amongst audiences. Beyond its surface-level entertainment value, however, the movie also delves into many thought provoking themes with its message. Nimona portrays diverse characters with their own personal journeys, and it examines LGBTQ identities with respect, challenging prevailing norms about oppression while fostering inclusivity by presenting non-binary and gay characters casually and with dignity. The movie contributes to ensuring LGBTQ representation in the industry by portraying characters with diverse identities, and should serve as a benchmark for LGBTQ representation within the industry in the future.
Representation and Allegory
Nimona takes a progressive approach in its portrayal of LGBTQ characters, employing them as integral parts of the story rather than as tokenistic or temporary representations. The character of Sir Ballister Boldheart, a gifted knight turned “villain” due to a set-up causing him to become a scapegoat and outlaw, serves as an excellent example. Throughout the film, Ballister’s identity as a gay man is portrayed naturally as his relationship with Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin progresses, without being sensationalized or relegated to a subplot. By incorporating his same-sex attraction in this manner, Nimona challenges the notion that sexual orientation wholly defines a character’s identity and role within a narrative.
The eponymous Nimona’s identity as genderfluid is also represented with empathy to the struggles of transgender youth, and is completely integral to the story. As a shape-shifter, Nimona takes on both male and female identities, leading to both fear and ostracization from others that leads her down a path of what she believes to be “villainy.” However, despite becoming an outcast and deemed a monster for doing so, Nimona continues to shape-shift as she wishes.
“Honestly? I feel worse when I don’t do it. Like my insides are itchy. You
know that second right before you sneeze? That’s close to it. Then I shape-shift and I’m
free.”
“What if you held it in? If you didn’t shape-shift?”
“I’d die.”
“That’s horrible!”
“Don’t be so gullible, I wouldn’t “die” die. I just sure wouldn’t be living.” — “Nimona” (2023)
Nimona’s shape-shifting is used as both a device for the plot, and as an allegory for trans identity. For many transgender people, the “itchy” feeling is gender dysphoria, a feeling of discomfort and distress that one cannot be themselves in their current body. Nimona’s attempts to quell these feelings, however, are only met with fear and unease from people who do not attempt to understand her, even from Ballister despite his similar situation of being exiled. Whenever Nimona is asked who she is, she answers truthfully saying she’s nothing but “Nimona,” but this answer is never enough for others around her due to the societal need to label everything and put them in a box, something nonbinary and trans viewers will relate to. By the end of the movie, when Nimona has reached her breaking point and mentally collapses, the resolution of the conflict does not force Nimona to water down her identity to become “easier” to understand, but rather makes a statement about the failures of a society that does not allow people like Nimona to exist without suffering for it. The oppressors in the story needing to mentally progress past previous societal norms rather than those who are persecuted conforming to them is something unfortunately rarely seen in many stories, and Nimona’s refusal to become more “digestible” allows the viewer to examine their own biases and encourages empathy towards those who are different.
Conclusion
Nimona stands as a testament to the power of storytelling to explore and validate LGBTQ experiences. The film fosters inclusivity and acceptance by portraying its characters authentically and in a diverse manner, challenging societal norms and encouraging individual identity. As queer representation continues to gain recognition and importance in contemporary media, Nimona serves as an exceptional example of a film that contributes positively to this cultural shift in LGBTQ portrayals.
LGBTQ Rights in Canada
LGBTQ Rights in Canada
Caitlin N.
Published on 2024.08.29
1969 marks the year Canada decriminalized sodomy and reformed their indecency laws to declassify homosexuality as an indecent act, a stepping stone for the acquisition of LGBTQ rights in Canada (Rau). Since then, numerous other rights and bills have been added and amended to assist gay and transgender people in living comfortable lives free of identity-based incarceration today. With the ever-changing political landscape, it is important to learn about these rights if needed, such as defending oneself if threatened. The following article will summarize potentially unfamiliar and recent laws that have been implemented.
On January 7th, 2021, conversion therapy was officially criminalized (Treisman). The bill describes conversion therapy as any practice, treatment or service designed to change or repress a person’s sexual orientation or gender (Bill C-4). The bill prohibits any offenses entailing: causing someone to undergo conversion therapy; removing a child from Canada to undergo conversion therapy abroad; promoting or advertising; receiving any material benefit from the practice of conversion therapy (Bill C-4).
Healthcare and gender-affirming rights in Canada still have a long way to go, however, 2023 has seen some progress towards inclusion. All provinces and territories now provide coverage for genital sex reassignment surgery, although wait time, requirements, and coverage will vary per province or territory (Mertz). On September 11th, 2022, the federal government also reformed blood donation policies to no longer ban sexually active gay and bisexual men during the screening process (Tait). After this reform, regardless of sexual orientation, all who are screened will now be asked about their recent sexual behaviour (Tait).
Despite this progress, the New Brunswick government has enacted policy 713, where teachers may not use the preferred names or pronouns of students under sixteen without parental consent (Cooke). The policy has been going through adjustments because it violates aspects of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom, such as section 15, which ensures all people are barred from identity-based discrimination (Cooke). This policy could be detrimental to LGBTQ youth, as it prohibits them from exploring gender identity and expression without fear of potential outings to parents.
Furthermore, the ideology behind such a policy is spreading. Ontario Premier Doug Ford believes that “It is not up to the teachers. It’s not up to the school boards to indoctrinate our children'' (Khan). Ford now wants to create similar policies to policy 713 in Ontario, putting even more queer Canadian students at risk of being out to family. It is important to understand that policy 713 treads on grounds that violate the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom, and such policies to follow will most likely also violate Canada’s charter. Many have been deeming the policy as unconstitutional, and if students are at risk of being affected by such policies, they are encouraged to call local governments to raise their concerns.
Works Cited
Bill C-4: An Act to Amend the Criminal Code (Conversion Therapy). https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/csj-sjc/pl/charter-charte/c4_1.html.
Cooke, Alex. “N.B. Makes Minor ‘Clarifications’ to Policy 713 after Being Told It Violated the Charter.” Global News, 23 Aug. 2023, https://globalnews.ca/news/9914354/nb-changes-policy-713/.
Khan, Ahmar. “Doug Ford Counters Greenbelt Scandal Protest with Attacks on School Boards about Handling of LGBTQ+ Youth Issues.” Global News, 9 Sept. 2023, https://globalnews.ca/news/9950382/greenbelt-scandal-doug-ford-attacks-schools-boards-lgbtq-youth/.
“Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights in Canada.” The Canadian Encyclopedia, https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/lesbian-gay-bisexual-and-transgender-rights-in-canada. Accessed 29 Oct. 2023.
Mertz, Emily. “Gender-Affirming Health Coverage by Canadian Province, Territory.” Global News, 23 June 2022, https://globalnews.ca/news/8900413/gender-affirming-healthcare-province-territory-transgender/.
Tait, Carrie. “Health Canada Ends Ban on Blood Donations from Gay Men.” The Globe and Mail, 29 Apr. 2022, https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-health-canada-ends-ban-on-blood-donations-from-gay-men/.
Treisman, Rachel. “After Two Failed Attempts, Canada Bans Conversion Therapy.” NPR, 9 Dec. 2021, https://www.npr.org/2021/12/09/1062720266/canada-bans-conversion-therapy.
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