Palm Springs Pride Flag Raising

We’ll open up Pride with our traditional Flag Raising and even though we won’t be able to gather in person, we’ll be able to watch a live stream of our elected officials, and civic leaders speak about what Pride means to the City of Palm Springs.

Virtually cheer on and witness the unfurling the giant rainbow from the top of iconic buildings across the city. Rainbow flags, symbolic of both the unity and diversity of the LGBTQ+ community will fly throughout the city and remind the world that everyone is supported, embraced, and welcome in Palm Springs.

Today at least three dozen flags have been created giving visibility to the many facets of the LGBTQ+ community. The first Rainbow Flags made their debut on June 25th, 1978, for the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade. Created by Gilbert Baker and a small volunteer team, the colors of the rainbow represented a symbol of community pride and liberation in the midst of anti-gay activities pervasive at the time. The flag continues to be a symbol about breaking free of an existence limited by fear and conformity, the right to express sexuality without shame or retaliation.

The original flag contained eight colors, not the six that we have become accustomed to. Pink could not be commercially reproduced and turquoise could not be accommodated for commercial reasons. The flag flying over Palm Springs will include the colors red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. Each color has a special significance representing sex, life, healing, sunlight, nature, magic, serenity, and spirit.