Historic Rainbow Flag Brightens Fairbanks Parade

It didn't rain on the Golden Days Parade, and the forty-five-foot rainbow flag from Key West, Florida cast multicolored light on the girl skipping beneath it as the PFLAG contingent marched down Second Avenue in Fairbanks, Alaska.

For the third year in a row, the Fairbanks chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) carried the big rainbow flag, a segment of the longest gay pride flag ever made, and this year it was the top parade photo published in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner.

"The flag did not arrive until the afternoon before the parade," said Terrie Donovan, marcher and organizer of the PFLAG Golden Days Picnic after the parade. "There was a lot of anxiety that it might not get here in time."

In 2003, Key West Pridefest commissioned Gilbert Baker to make the world's longest gay pride flag, which was sixteen feet wide by a mile and a quarter long and took 3,000 volunteers to carry. Baker created the original rainbow flag design in 1978 at the request of the late Harvey Milk, the first openly-gay San Francisco City Supervisor.

After the Key West Parade, the flag was cut into sections and loaned to gay pride groups around the country. Peter Pinney of Fairbanks PFLAG and Tim Stallard of Out in Alaska arranged to borrow a sixteen foot by forty-five foot section for the Golden Days Parade.

The Golden Days Parade celebrates the gold rush origins of Fairbanks. Many local groups and politicians march in the parade, and spectators camp out in folding chairs to reserve a good spot. 

PFLAG marcher Beverly Chmelik was interviewed for the Channel 11 live parade broadcast, and her interview was on the local news. "They asked what PFLAG was about and what we do. I told them it was a support group for parents of gay, lesbian and transgender children, and for those who are coming out and wanting to tell their families."

"I forgot to say that for more information, please see our booth at the Fair." PFLAG Fairbanks is building a themed booth for the Tanana Valley Fair, August 1-9. 

PFLAG held their annual Golden Days Picnic at Nussbaumer Park, providing hamburgers, hotdogs and lemonade to a group of lesbians, gay men, transgendered women, straight allies and children. The picnic was funded by a grant from the Imperial Court of All Alaska.

The historic rainbow flag segment was returned to Florida - until next year.

Before the parade, Beverly Chmelik, Pete Pinny and another PFLAG member hold the Fairbanks chapter banner while the rest of the contingent holds the historic rainbow flag from Florida. Photo by Shayle.