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Hidden Rainbows

Under Threat

The rainbow that won’t be allowed to fly
Stories of suppression, resistance, and solidarity

 A Living Symbol Under Siege

From the Lambda to the Pink Triangle to the Rainbow Flag — our community has always spoken in symbols.

The Lambda, adopted by early activists, signified energy and liberation.
 

The Pink Triangle, reclaimed from its tragic past, became a symbol of resistance and memory.
 

And in 1978, the Rainbow Flag rose in San Francisco — a joyful emblem of unity in diversity.

 

Fifty years later, this symbol of pride faces a new wave of hostility.

The Colors Are Under Threat

Across the United States and around the world, rainbow symbols are being banned, painted over, or taken down.
 

Rainbow crosswalks removed by city councils. Flags forbidden in classrooms.

In some countries, even owning one is a crime.

 

These acts may seem small — but together, they tell a global story of fear, censorship, and erasure.

Symbols still matter, because they still have power.

The Urgency of This Moment

As we approach the 50th anniversary of the Rainbow Flag in 2028, this is not just a time for celebration — it’s a call to conscience.
 

We must protect the symbols that protect us, and honor those who keep their colors alive in quiet, creative ways.

Even when unseen, the rainbow endures.

A Global Movement, Rooted in California

Hidden Rainbows begins where the Rainbow Flag was born, in California, and extends outward through a network of artists and storytellers:

 

  • Tanzania Pride – community leadership in East Africa

  • Liberation Designs (Uganda) – Tailoring Our Way to Freedom

  • KQED Youth Media Challenge & OUR PRIDE Shorts & Arts Fest – youth storytelling in the U.S.

 

Together, these partners illuminate what it means to live with courage, creativity, and compassion.

A Symbol We Must Protect

The rainbow is more than a flag — it is a global language of belonging.
 

Hidden Rainbows stands to defend that language and celebrate those who keep it alive through art, education, and love.

Because the rainbow is not just a symbol — it’s a human right.

Learn, Create, Connect

  • Watch short films and stories from around the world.

  • Explore the James McNamara Global Flags Initiative.

  • Discover art projects from East Africa to California.

  • Join the movement by sharing your story or creative work.

Explore the Stories → 

Partner with Hidden Rainbows →

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A Project of the California LGBT Arts Alliance
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