Proudly Waving the Flag in the Map

Now on display at the GLBT Historical Society Museum, The Flag in the Map is an international exhibition that documents people flying their rainbow flags, however they are able, in all parts of the world. From Kyiv, Ukraine to Harare, Zimbabwe, participants were asked to share what the rainbow flag means to them, and a selection of the responses are on display in this installation and in additional exhibitions around the world. This educational project is a partnership between the Gilbert Baker Foundation and Report OUT.

Together with the exhibition Out in the World: Ireland’s LGBTQ Diaspora, also on display at the museum, The Flag in the Map reinforces the society’s commitment to cultural collaboration with international partners and institutions. We sat down for a chat with Charles Beal, the president of the Gilbert Baker Foundation, to learn more about The Flag in the Map. 

How did you reach out to activists around the world to solicit responses, given that some live in extremely repressive societies?

CB: We collaborated with ReportOut, a global human rights group based in England. Through our social media channels and through their extensive global network we were able to solicit submissions from around the world. We were very sensitive in our inquiries and offered people the chance to cover their face or not include their name. What was surprising was how brave people were, even in countries where they could get in trouble just for responding to our request.

Are there any responses that you found particularly meaningful?

CB: Many touched me on a very human level. A few that really stood out were these young kids on bicycles with a rainbow flag in Shanghai, China, going out early in the morning to take their picture at the risk of being arrested. It’s not well known but China has been cracking down terribly on all LGBTQ rights groups and other NGOs in the last couple of years. The situation there is getting worse by the day.

Another story that really hit home was a group of LGBTQ refugees in the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya who formed their first Pride march in 2018. They were attacked and their rainbow flags confiscated. Since then, many have been arrested, beaten and even jailed. Their brave leaders have still managed to get over 200 of these queer refugees resettled in countries where they are now safe.

But some of the most poignant stories are the individuals. A nonbinary person in Zimbabwe talking about how their country wants to erase them, but that their rainbow flag gives them hope like the sun coming out after a rainy day. These are my favorite stories.

Charles Beal is the president of the Gilbert Baker Foundation. He oversaw the donation of the segment of one of the original 1978 rainbow flags to the GLBT Historical Society in 2021.