Flag50 Launch & Steps to Liberation | Birthplace of Pride | IDAHOBIT 2026

Flag50 officially launched on IDAHOBIT (International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia), May 17, 2026, with the unveiling of the Steps to Liberation arts installation at Founders Metropolitan Community Church in Los Angeles—the historic birthplace of Pride. The event marked the beginning of FLAG50: Welcoming the World, a global arts and storytelling initiative celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Rainbow Flag during the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Cultural Period in Los Angeles. The launch brought together artists, community leaders, elected officials, and advocates committed to preserving LGBTQ+ history while inspiring future generations. Featured participants included: • Rev. Troy Perry, Founder of MCC and Co-Founder of Christopher Street West (LA Pride) • Lynn Segerblom, original Rainbow Flag co-creator and creator of the Steps to Liberation • Hon. John Duran, Former Mayor of West Hollywood • Nithya Raman, Los Angeles City Councilmember • Dante Alencastre, Executive Director, California LGBT Arts Alliance • Gerald Garth, President Emeritus, Christopher Street West • Brian Sonia-Wallace, Los Angeles Poet Laureate • Messages from Mayor Karen Bass and Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath FLAG50 explores the continuing journey of the Rainbow Flag through exhibitions, storytelling, film, photography, poetry, performance, public conversations, accessibility, and community engagement—from Los Angeles to Amsterdam, San Francisco, West Hollywood, Cape Town, and back to San Francisco’s UN Plaza for Human Rights Day in 2028. Learn more: 🌈 https://flag50.org #Flag50 #RainbowFlag #LGBTQHistory #BirthplaceOfPride #StepstoLiberation #IDAHOBIT #WestHollywood #LosAngeles #Olympics2028 #HumanRights #PrideHistory #RainbowAdvocacy #ourprideorg