“By putting in those extra colors they’re saying, ‘You’re not doing it,’ and it’s just unfortunate. She said the Philadelphia flag is a sign that people of color continue to feel excluded. “I think it’s unfortunate that we have to be even more intentional, because the whole idea of the rainbow flag was that it included everybody,” said the activist, who has sat on the advisory boards of several national LGBTQ organizations. In her eyes, the Philadelphia flag is a continuation of that legacy.
That has spurred non-whites to create their own organizations and events, she said. White cisgender gay men have historically been in control of national LGBTQ organizations, which has influenced LGBTQ culture, according to Monroe.
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Bars in the neighborhood were also accused of discriminatory-dress code policies. In 2016, social justice groups became furious after a video surfaced showing the owner of a popular gay bar using the N-word. She said the city’s popular gay neighborhood - dubbed the "gayborhood" - has a history of racism. Hikes, a black queer woman, said the flag is an especially important symbol for Philadelphia. Philadelphia's new rainbow Pride flag, which includes black and brown stripes, is raised at City Hall in June 2017 Kelly Burkhardt / City of Philadelphia Office of LGBT Affairs “It’s a push for people to start listening to people of color in our community, start hearing what they’re saying, and really to believe them and to step up and say, ‘What can I do to help eradicate these issues in our community?” said Amber Hikes, the new executive director of Philadelphia's Office of LGBT Affairs. The flag, hoisted outside City Hall during a recent Pride Month event, was created as part of the More Color More Pride campaign, which aims to make non-white LGBTQ people more visible. The black and brown stripes on Philadelphia’s new rainbow flag are inspiring hope in some and anger in others.