The Communities of Pride quilt series combines two symbols of community. First, maps, two-dimensional abstractions of the three-dimensional spaces where we live, work, and play. Rather printed on paper or pixilated on digital devices, maps help us visualize the complex places we occupy and the paths we take to and from these places. Second, is a pride flag composed of overlapping geese, my own modern take on flying geese, chevron, and herringbone designs. This version of the pride flag adds additional colors to the traditional rainbow pride flag to bring symbolic representation to marginalized persons within LGBTQIA+ communities who identify as people of color and/or transgender, and whose stand at Stonewall was the catalyst for the modern gay rights movement. The Chicago map in this quilt features the city’s well-known grid pattern, as well as its elevated public train system (the Chicago “L”) made from bias tape.
