Flag in the Map Exhibit At Napa Valley College

The LGBT Education Program at Napa Valley College is hosting the “Flag In The Map” exhibit and a special speaking program about the original rainbow Pride flag and how it is being oppressed in the United States and throughout the world.  The featured speakers include Mr. Charley Beal, president of the Gilbert Baker Foundation (Gilbert Baker created the original rainbow Pride flag) and Mr. Cleve Jones, an author, long-time Bay Area activist, creator of the AIDS Quilt and much more.  Mr. Jones participated in the creation of the original Pride flag back in 1978.

“Flag in the Map” is an extraordinary collection of photographs and stories from LGBTQ+ people around the globe. Come see how these brave freedom fighters from Kenya, China, Ukraine, Brazil and over 40 countries passionately describe how the Rainbow Flag has changed their everyday existence. Sometimes hopeful, sometimes harrowing, always fascinating.”

There are many dangerous places in the world for LGBTQ+ people including Russia, the Middle East, and most countries on the continent of Africa. Despite the threat of arrest, incarceration or worse, LGBTQ+ people are using the Pride flag to make themselves visible and to fight for basic human rights. Some of these places are right here in California as evidenced by the hate crime murder of Lauri Carleton in Cedar Glen (San Bernardino County).

The Flag in the Map exhibit has been shown in San Francisco, New York, London, and now, at Napa Valley College.   The exhibit features 46 images from people in countries around the world. Some of the images where taken at great risk by the individuals shown. The images are organized into several categories including activism, celebration, families and friends, places, portraits of pride, and essays.  We will also offer a video featuring Gilbert Baker that visitors can watch to learn about the creation of the Pride flag.  Visitors to the exhibit will be able to wander the lobby of the Napa Valley College Performing Arts Center while viewing the exhibit. Local LGBTQ+ organizations will be available with information about their services and programming.

The LGBT Education Program is producing this event for the Napa Valley College campus community and general public in order to raise awareness of LGBTQ+ civil rights and history related to the Pride flag and how it is being used as a symbol of power and visibility around the world. Local jurisdictions across the United States have ban flying the Pride flag on public flagpoles. This attack on LGBTQ+ civil rights is symbolic of the more than 500 pieces of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation that are being considered in states across the country.

We see the human rights abuses faced by sexual and gender minorities in all nation states. The facts are:

• 70+ nation states criminalize private, consensual same-sex sexual behavior;
• 40+ nation states criminalize private, consensual sexual activity between women using laws against 'lesbianism' and 'gross indecency';
• 11 nation states have the death penalty or at least the possibility of it, for private consensual same-sex behavior;
• 15 nation states criminalize the gender identity and/or expression of transgender people;
• Interphobia is faced by people who are intersex, who face medically unnecessary surgeries, widespread violence and discrimination;
• People face different forms of violence (physical and symbolic), the use of so-called 'corrective rape' and conversion therapies, the forced medicalization of bodies, torture and police and state violence;
• Sexual and gender minorities often live in severe poverty, have poor and inadequate housing, they face a lack of political participation, are unable to be safe in their family and personal lives, are unable to have a family and they face gender-based discrimination.

When: Friday October 6, 2023.  Exhibit will be open 12:00PM - 7:30PM. The speaking program begins at 7:30PM. The exhibit and speaking event are open to the general public free of charge.  A free ticket is required for the speaking program as space is limited.

Where: Napa Valley College Performing Arts Center, 2277 Napa Vallejo Highway, Napa, CA. 94558 (Parking for the event is free, no permit required)

Event webpage: https://sites.google.com/view/fitmevent/home?authuser=0

Press Information webpage: https://sites.google.com/view/fitmevent/press?authuser=0

Official Media Sponsor: Northern California Public Media and KRCB Radio

For more information:  Greg Miraglia, 707-256-7710 or gmiraglia@napavalley.edu

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