“Gibraltar Pride 2014” events will be focused on greater togetherness and on a celebration of our individualities whilst embracing and sharing pride in our older generations, our physically and mentally challenged citizens, our young, our diverse cultures, our ethnic groups, our LGBT communities, our different faiths, and other sectors who may wish to come forward to celebrate in peace and understanding.With the aim of not only reinforcing cohesion, we move forward with optimism on openly having fun under the slogan ‘We Are One!’

Our vision is to include at various events as many different sectors of the community as possible, in a celebration for all, that places Gibraltar on the map as an example of a community that co-exists with strong ties and solidarity.

“Gibraltar Pride 2014” - a community-wide public celebration of the scale not previously seen in Gibraltar - where we will celebrate the togetherness we enjoy along with our diversity and equality. 

Our vision is to include at various events as many different sectors of the community as possible, in a celebration for all, that places Gibraltar on the map as an example of a community that co-exists with strong ties and solidarity. 

“Gibraltar Pride 2014” events will be focused on greater togetherness and on a celebration of our individualities whilst embracing and sharing pride in our older generations, our physically and mentally challenged citizens, our young, our diverse cultures, our ethnic groups, our LGBT communities, our different faiths, and other sectors who may wish to come forward to celebrate in peace and understanding. With the aim of not only reinforcing cohesion, we move forward with optimism on openly having fun under the slogan ‘We Are One!’

Our vision is to include at various events as many different sectors of the community as possible, in a celebration for all, that places Gibraltar on the map as an example of a community that co-exists with strong ties and solidarity.

Equality Rights Group GGR, established for well over a decade and with a serious and professional track record of successful campaigning, is Gibraltar's Human & Civil Rights organisation. We work to cultivate a sentiment in favour of equality and diversity by raising awareness and fighting discrimination in our community. As Gibraltar’s Human Rights organisation, Equality Rights Group defends the rights of the People to express their identity and determine their own political and social future, whilst insisting on the similarly intrinsic rights of individual persons in our country to be free and equal. Both must take account of each other – neither can be ignored but must form a part of the fabric of our society. Despite the fact that there is a great deal of diversity in Gibraltar today, there are still inequalities that need to be addressed and rectified. We strive to identify these and to find solutions so that all individuals can benefit from equal and human rights.

The rights of the People of Gibraltar are inalienable. Just as sovereignty means the right to a self-determining state through democracy, it must be made real through the sovereignty of the individual to determine their lives freely, otherwise the prosperity of liberty will be beyond reach.

Why the rainbow?

The rainbow has been a symbol of peace and yearning practically from time immemorial. Many spiritual traditions have incorporated its symbolism historically. It has entered into different cultures through folklore, music and art. It fundamentally speaks to the knowledge that Nature is comprised and composed of many distinct but unitary elements.

But the Gibraltar Diversity Flag incorporates the Castle and Keys. Is this not desecration?

In the first place, the history of flags tells us that ‘set-in-stone’ designs are a fairly recent phenomenon. It’s only in the last couple of centuries that standardized national designs have come to be. In this regard, the first national flag is considered to be the flag of the United States, introduced in 1777. Among the pioneers were also France and Britain, which adopted their flags (Tricolour and Union Flag) in 1794 and 1801 respectively And because they represent ideas and identities, flags – like everything else – incorporate or extend elements as their reality changes. Nonetheless, national flags are rightfully held in particular high esteem by their respective citizens. They are usually flown from positions of honour and in accordance to protocol. This does not prevent them, nonetheless, from generating varieties or sub-varieties of the main country symbol. You will find varieties being properly used for maritime and other purposes, for instance. Gibraltar is by no means the only country to have created a rainbow-based variety using elements of its national emblem. South Africa, too, adopted its own rainbow-based flag as an addition in order to recognize diversity.

But answer me, is it - or not - desecration?

In the first place, desecration is an idea closely related to the religious concept of sacrilege. The flag is a secular symbol of civil not religious use. There is no such thing as desecration of a flag in British law. That is an American concept which does not apply in our case, and one which even in the USA is increasingly applied less strictly than in the past. In the second, you will find that flags – and there’s hardly one to which this does not apply – can be widely found on everyday objects in modern society. Look around any souvenir shop next time you go abroad! Flags can be found everywhere and are part of commercial useage throughout the world. Unless there is a very clear and fundamental intent to disrespect national identity or values, the law is not offended by distinct variety of use. The short answer to your question, then, is ‘no’.

But isn’t the rainbow flag just for the gay community?

As explained above, the rainbow has a very long history and tradition indeed. It is true that since the 1970s, the rainbow flag has been widely publicized in its use by the LGBT movement. But just because one particular representational use by a particular social grouping uses and continues to use it does not undo the centuries of history which Humanity has attached to the yearning for peace between fellow human beings. The rainbow belongs to everyone as a symbol of coexistence.

So how did the Diversity Flag come about?

Some years back, as it moved towards becoming what it is today – a wide Human & Civll Rights organization for all – Equality Rights Group (ERG) asked for competing designs for a flag that would represent not just the LGBT community but that would portray Diversity for Gibraltar as a whole. From this selection, the current design was chosen. Before adopting the flag, proper legal and institutional consultation was established to ensure there were no impediments to the flag’s adoption.

So – what DOES the official Diversity Flag of Gibraltar actually stand for?

As in history, it stands for the higher values in Life. It stands for the yearning for peace. It stands for the multicoloured reality of our community. In short, it stands for and flies proudly the colours of diversity. It is a symbol of the togetherness of the distinct identities found within Gibraltar and flies the pride we all feel in being Gibraltarian. This recognition was given not only by the ex-Governor of Gibraltar, Sir Adrian Johns, when he was able to confirm the legality of the Diversity Flag, but also by the Government of Gibraltar when it flew the flag from a place of honour at No. 6 Convent Place. Today, the Diversity Flag stands for all of us. Whether disabled, elderly, LGBT, Moroccan, Indian, Gibraltar-born, heterosexual, able-bodied or any of the many conditions found in a democratic society such as ours. It is a symbol of self-esteem and worth for all the different peoples we have, over the years, proudly become under the one identity. In short, it is a flag of and for peaceful coexistence in respect for each other – all of us!