“Chicago has a long history of diversity and acceptance and we believe The Grand Flag is the perfect location to highlight that sentiment to the world,” said Keith Douglas, Chief Innovation and Marketing Officer Sterling Bay.
Flying from a 200-foot flagpole at 100 W. Grand, the one-of-a-kind, 30 ft. x 60-foot custom-crafted flag is visible from Interstate-90 and throughout the city's River West, West Loop and Fulton Market neighborhoods.
The Progress Pride Flag was crafted by Lone Star Banners and is comprised of over 1,800 square feet - or 50 pounds - of multicolored nylon.
The flag requires six people to fold and will be raised each morning by professionals from CARA Cleanslate, a local organization that connects individuals with barriers to employment to quality job opportunities.
Designed by Daniel Quasar in 2018 as a reinterpretation of the Rainbow Flag, the Progress Pride Flag represents greater inclusion by featuring the rainbow flag along with a five-colored chevron that includes black and brown stripes to represent marginalized LGBTQ+ communities of color, as well as community members lost to HIV/AIDS and those living with AIDS, and light blue, pink and white stripes to represent the trans community.
“I'm proud to see this symbol of universal inclusion flying over the 27th Ward, particularly as it represents marginalized groups – like Black, Brown, and trans people – who spearheaded the Pride movement in the face of violence and persecution,” said 27th Ward Alderman Walter Burnett.
“Neighborhood expressions like this one help celebrate diversity and love,” he added.
Related: Everything you need to know for Pride month in Chicago