At ATPCO, Pride celebration starts with education

From parades and picnics to marches and workshops, the LGBTQIA+ community and its allies in various countries celebrate Pride month each year in June. Born out of the Stonewall Riots of 1969, this month-long celebration focuses on uplifting the voices, supporting the rights, and recognizing the culture of the LGBTQIA+ community, including the political injustices they have faced and continue to face.

What do the colors of the Pride flag mean?

The rainbow colors are iconic, but do you know what the 11 hues represent? Each color and shape on the Pride flag evokes elements of the culture and representations of the individuals in this community.

The Pride flag used today has evolved over the years to incorporate 11 distinct colors representing the following: 

• Red for life
• Orange for healing
• Yellow for the sun
• Green for nature 
• Royal blue for magic, art, and serenity 
• Purple for spirit 
• Purple circle on yellow field for intersex people (added in 2021) 
• White for nonbinary and gender nonconforming people (added in 1999)  
• Baby blue and pink for transgender and gender binary people (added in 1999) 
• Brown and black for LGBTQIA+ communities of color (added in 2017) 

The Pride flag transformed through the years since its original design in 1978 by Gilbert Baker with additions in 1999 by Monica Helms and 2017 by Amber Hikes. In 2018 Daniel Quasar shifted the brown and black to the left and added the arrow shape to show forward movement. Then, in 2021, Valentino Vecchietti added a yellow field with a purple circle to include intersex people in the newest design.

The Progress Pride flag represents the true diversity in the LGBTQIA+ community, as well as the work that is still left to do to reach true equality. The flag is ever-evolving as it changes to represent the full LGBTQIA+ community in the spirit of true inclusion.

Pride and aviation

ATPCO stands in solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community—especially with our own employees who are proudly and authentically a part of this community. To commemorate this year’s Pride month celebration and to show our support, we are:

• Publishing weekly internal articles by and for our employees to learn more about Pride’s origins, gender pronouns in the workplace, allyship, and more.
• Providing employees with Pride-related company brand resources so individuals can show their support.
• Prioritizing education through our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Steering Council for the entire company.

Although there is still much work to be done throughout the entire aviation industry for more diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, there are many people working toward change. Organizations like the National Gay Pilots Association (NGPA) are focused on increasing inclusivity for LGBTQIA+ aviation professionals throughout the industry. Whether you are an aviation professional or enthusiast, this organization has one simple mission for all: To build, support, and unite the LGBTQIA+ aviation community worldwide.

From all of us at ATPCO, happy Pride month. We hope you will check out Pride events near you and join us in supporting this important community.