Symbol of tolerance

Like monuments, symbols are there to remind and sometimes warm. While visiting West Side Stories (a video store geared towards the LGBT community) I noticed a symbol on the front window. The symbol is an upside down triangle that is rainbow coloured. I know that the symbol is one that represents the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) community. But I never knew the history of the colours.

According to Wikipedia the rainbow flag, sometimes called 'the freedom flag', was popularized as a symbol of LGBT pride and diversity by San Francisco artist Gilbert Baker in 1978. Wikipedia goes on to say the different colours symbolize diversity in the gay community, and the flag is used predominantly at gay pride events and in gay villages worldwide in various forms including banners, clothing and jewelry.

The upside down triangle also contains meaning. According to Wikipedia women were arrested and imprisoned in Nazi concentration camps for "antisocial behavior," which include anything from feminism, lesbianism, and prostitution to any woman who didn't conform to the ideal Nazi image of a woman: cooking, cleaning, kitchen work, child raising, passive, etc. Wikipedia adds that these women were labeled with a black upside down triangle and today modern-day lesbians have reclaimed this symbol for themselves as gay men have reclaimed the pink triangle.

This information makes complete sense to the store. West Side Stories caters to the lesbian community. One example of this is by adding a ‘Women In Film” section and a “LGBT” section, which major movie chains like Blockbuster and Rogers Video do not have. By having a symbol of sexuality independence the store will attract the clients that will enjoy their diverse selection of movies. This does not mean just lesbians. Young trendy families in the neighbourhood enjoy the store and come in for the unique films that can’t be found anywhere else. This sort of symbol says “freedom” and “peace” creating an inviting feel before even entering the store. West Side Stories is one-of-a-kind which accommodates everyone. The upside down rainbow triangle is one small symbol of tolerance, which can be seen as an analogy for the small video shop in this great big city.