June 27th 2023.
LGBTQ icon Billy Porter has always been known for his bold statement-making appearances, and his latest one involves the rainbow flag. According to Page Six, the Tony- and Grammy-winning performer said that he's a bit "over" wearing it.
“I’m trying to find a rainbow without being the rainbow. I’m sort of over the rainbow but I like the rainbow, Porter said. “Because we have had to wear it for so many years, it’s like, ‘Damn, can we wear something else now? Do I have to wear the colors? Can I just show up in something cute?”
The rainbow flag has become a symbol of pride and acceptance for the LGBTQ+ community since it was first designed for the 1978 Gay Freedom Day Parade in San Francisco. During the 2023 NYC Pride Parade, Porter served as a grand marshal, wearing a rainbow sash. However, he believes the yearly event has become more focused on partying, rather than the original purpose of protest. Strength is something the community needs right now as government officials are looking to strip them of their rights, with 70 new laws this year alone.
In 2019, Porter wore a custom Christian Siriano gown made from a rainbow of tulle fabric to the NYC Pride Parade. Now, he wants the celebration to go back to its roots. As he said to Today, “We’ve made some strides, a lot of strides, I keep saying the change has already happened because it has, and therefore there’s now a lot of pushback again. And so Pride must be about protest again.”
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