This day in TMHFN history: 6 Oct 2017 - Mini pride flags in remembrance of LGBTQ+ activists we lost.
This day in TMHFN history - 6 Oct 2017 - Mini pride flags in remembrance of LGBTQ+ people we lost
On October 6th 2017 - in celebration of LGBTQ+ history month - our participant Rachel @hilaryduff (now @gaysott) handed out over 500 mini pride flags at Harry’s Philadelphia Live on Tour show. Attached was note “Hold flags up during SOTT in remembrance of those who died fighting to be themselves”
Several fans expressed their joy and excitement in anticipation (X X X X X X X X) and even some crew members joined in (X, significant as venue crew have been known to confiscate flags on some occasions)
The sea of rainbow flags worked out beautifully and drew a “these are beautiful” (0:46) and a “wow” (1:00) from Harry: video here
Many us got very emotional about this action (X X X X X X X X X X X X) and people created amazing visuals to commemorate it: gif headers , lock screens, and a beautiful cartoon poster
Sign of the times never sounded the same after. In the words of @tomlinshires
“SOTT always gets me in my feelings. But hearing that powerful song over the powerful image of pride flags waving, illuminated, and countless… it was a lot. So many people holding up pride flags for all of the LGBTQ that we’ve lost, but singing a song for the future, screaming at the top of their lungs that we’re going to be alright, that we’re going to come out on the other side stronger than ever- willing it into existence and demanding it of our world. We can and should demand love and peace and acceptance and safety, but most importantly we can create it ourselves. That’s what happened at the concert, that’s what we all saw tonight, via livestream, reblogs, tweets or in person. I’m so grateful, grateful that it happened and grateful that I’m going to take this feeling with me into the rest of my life. I hope you do too.”
Note: this was also the day that someone spotted a Love is Love rainbow sticker (sold by @1Dfansgive) on Harry’s tour bus. Sadly, that one got a bit lost in the excitement about what we’d achieved as an LGBTQ+ community in this fandom.