Pam Parmakian: What’s in a flag? Solidarity and safety

Kaboompics.com

Jason Phillips of the Greenfield Department of Public Works helps Kacie Dean and Heather Mahoney raise the Pride Flag for LGBTQ Pride Month on the Greenfield Common in June 2021. Staff Photo/Paul Franz

Published: 05-08-2024 6:27 PM

Modified: 05-09-2024 2:35 PM

Something amazing happened on our street this week. Every household found a rainbow flag in their mailbox with an open-hearted letter inviting everyone to show solidarity with the LBGTQ community by flying the flag.

My wife and I were deeply moved by this gesture as new flags popped up on our street, reminding us why the flag matters.

The pride flag is seen as a unifying symbol, a colorful expression of visibility, a signal to us queer folks that we are part of this community, we are welcome and this is safe place.

For us, the prevalence of so many pride flags displayed in Greenfield is one of the reasons we chose to move here. It’s also why I wanted to participate in creating an event that would bring together and celebrate the queer Franklin County community.

In the winter of 2016, a group of volunteers came together in solidarity to plan the first Franklin County Pride event for the following June, Pride month. We organized a march and festival that ended at Energy Park with a celebration of music and food. Over 500 people attended.

In the following years, the event has blossomed into a larger celebration drawing bigger crowds cheering a parade featuring exciting floats and colorful costumes as marchers dance their way to Energy Park. I haven’t been involved since the early years, but am grateful other volunteers have continued this annual event. Amazing!

As we look forward to Pride festivities, I hope allies of the LBGTQ community will proudly display their flags at home and local businesses. It may seem like a small gesture to some, but it is in fact a powerful act, a meaningful expression of solidarity and safety.

Pam Parmakian

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