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Compiled By GayToday
Traverse City, Michigan-- Traverse City made history yesterday by unveiling a new
citywide campaign promoting tolerance and "community unity" that was
inspired by a popular gay symbol: the rainbow.
City and community leaders gathered in Traverse City Wendesday to unveil the
new bumper stickers that feature a rainbow background with text reading,
"We Are Traverse City".
The stickers will be displayed on all city vehicles
including police cars, fire trucks, city maintenance vehicles (including
snow plows), and the regional public transportation system. The move comes
after a highly publicized attack against a resident of Traverse City at a
gay establishment, as well as several other bias-motivated crimes against
black, Native American, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (glbt)
people in the city.
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"This comes as a wonderful holiday gift; an affirmation of the inherent
dignity and humanity of all the residents of Traverse City, including glbt
citizens" said Jeffrey Montgomery, Executive Director of Triangle
Foundation, Michigan's statewide civil rights, advocacy and anti-violence
organization for glbt people.
Montgomery took part in an anti-hate violence
workshop in Traverse City in November. Many city and county officials
attended the workshop, including Traverse City Police Chief Ralph
Soffredine and representatives from regional Human and Civil Rights Groups.
"The rainbow bumper sticker visually represents all the citizens in our
wonderful city," said M'Lynn Hartwell, a Traverse City area activist and
member of Triangle Foundation's Board of Trustees. "This is about community
unity."
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Related Stories from the GayToday Archive:
50 Australians Wear Rainbow Sashes at Roman Catholic Mass
Los Angeles City Council Condemns Fundamentalist Hate Conference
Louisville Passes Fairness Ordinance
Related Sites:
Triangle Foundation
We Are Traverse City
GayToday does not endorse related sites.
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Richard Curtis, JoAnn Ewing, M'Lynn Hartwell, and City Commissioner
Margaret Dodd, devised the original design of the sticker. "I'm thrilled
at how the timing worked out, this was not planned. It is only appropriate
that this bumper sticker is ready for the holiday season. It is a time of
peace and goodwill toward others. Richard Lewis, our city manager, deserves
a lot of credit for his endorsement of this project," stated Commissioner
Dodd.
Facts:
The rainbow flag symbol evolved from a design made in 1978 by
Gilbert Baker of San Francisco. Although the original rainbow flag had 8
stripes, today it has six stripes, each a different color, and represents
that gay people come from all races, religions, languages and ages. It has
become a universal symbol of diversity and pride.
Using the five-striped "Flag of the Race" as his inspiration, Mr.
Baker designed a flag with stripes of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and
violet. Each color represented a concept such as nature, harmony and
spirituality.
The Rainbow Flag is recognized by the International Congress of Flag
Makers, and is flown worldwide.
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