The Other "Pride" Flag

June was "Pride Month", signified by tons of rainbow and a month-long observance dedicated to the celebration of LGBTQ pride, commemorating the contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer culture and community. Lots of press and lots of celebrity backing. Awesome. June was chosen because it was when the Stonewall Riots started.

Less awesome is that it is followed by "Disability Pride Month", which almost no one has ever heard of; and even fewer have heard about the Disability Pride flag.

This is the original Disability Pride flag, designed by Ann Magill in 2019, featured a black background with a diagonal zigzag band of five colors: red, yellow, white, blue, and green. Each element of the flag carries deep symbolic meaning.

Web research revealed this about the design:

Symbolism of Colors‍

• Black Background: The black field represents the mourning and anger over the oppression and discrimination faced by disabled people, including historical eugenics programs and modern ableism.

• Red: Symbolizes physical disabilities.

• Yellow: Represents cognitive and intellectual disabilities.

• White: Stands for invisible and undiagnosed disabilities.

• Blue: Represents psychiatric disabilities and mental illness.

• Green: Symbolizes sensory disabilities, including conditions like migraines and color blindness.

The Zigzag Design

The diagonal zigzag band, resembling a lightning bolt, symbolizes the creativity, innovation, and resilience of the disability community. It also represents the challenges and barriers that disabled people overcome daily.

I can appreciate the zigzag band, because it typifies how I spend my days. Zigging and zagging. 

Unfortunately, disability groups spoke up the zigzag pattern and color combinations held the potential to cause issues for individuals with sensory disabilities, particularly those with migraines, epilepsy, or strobe sensitivities.

The new flag colors have been muted, which feels much like the voices of those with disabilities--when we speak out our truth we are too loud for the masses.