Never Chasing Rainbows
December 29, 2009 by James
Can I ask, what’s with gay’s and rainbows these days? Allow me to preface my rant by stating that I know much about gay history–more than the average go-go boy–and I am aware of the history of the rainbow flag to celebrate diversity in the gay community. Flags are symbols, they are a visual representation of an idea, a group, or a nation. They are ideals you can see, morals you can touch. I am aware, and I appreciate the sentiment. That’s doesn’t mean I wholeheartedly embrace the transformation of my life and its circumstances into a multi-colored swath of nylon and polyester. I suppose I’ve become suspicious of flags, as Emily Dickinson was of oaths. You cannot sum even one individual with fabric and stitching, and it’s dangerous to try.
I’ll admit my own history of flag-toting and pride marching in my youth, but I feel I’ve outgrown my obtuse worldview since then. Not all bad guys wear black hats, not all policeman obey the law, and not all faeries are good faeries.
Since you’re ambivalent towards rainbows, I’m curious to hear what you think of the Bridge of Light, the LGBT winter cultural tradition on New Year’s Eve.
Gay Pride parades wrap themselves in the Rainbow Flag. BOL lights six candles prior to New Year’s, one for each color of the rainbow flag; plus a seventh candle on New Year’s Day. (The colors also represent the 7 chakras and aspects of LGBT history, present & past.)
The idea, in part, is to transcend the rainbow by stressing not only the diversity of colors but the unity of light. I think the appeal to smeone not crazy about the polyester stitching of the rainbow flag might be there, but then if it’s the idea of having ANY symbol for gay/LGBT community then maybe not.
Google for “bridge of light” and “gay” for more info, and check out the facebook group or the MyOutSpirit.com Gay Spirituality Blog or my own blog for info on the current tradition.
we sell variety of rainbow flags.