Rainbow Flag Set to Fly in Sydney

The GLBT Pride flag is set to fly above Sydney’s Town Hall during events of significance to the city’s gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans communities, the City of Sydney has announced.

In a first for Sydney, the pride flag – also known as the rainbow flag or the freedom flag – will be hoisted above Town Hall during queer community events such as the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and the annual Sydney Pride festival.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP said the decision, which was endorsed unanimously by Council last Tuesday (September 22), reflected the city’s ongoing commitment to recognising and supporting its many GLBT residents, workers and tourists.

According to Clover Moore, the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival and Pride Week are two of Sydney’s most important community events.

The rainbow flag, which was initially created by San Francisco artist Gilbert Baker in 1978, has become a universally-recognised symbol of pride for queer communities worldwide.

The flag colours represent the diversity of GLBT people and were designed to symbolise life (red), healing (orange), sunlight (yellow), nature (green), harmony (blue) and spirit (purple).