Colors of Progress
2019

The
Project

Colors of Progress is an artwork by Phil AMERICA inspired by the many sacrifices and accomplishments made by LGBTq+ people since the Stonewall Riots occurred 50 years ago this June. During this moment of triumph and reflection we think it is a vital time to center voices that deserve increased visibility as we look toward the future of our movement. Using flags as a canvas and a color palette that emphasizes a more meaningful inclusion of marginalized groups, we aim to create a visual oral history that can be featured at Pride celebrations around the country. Through archival research and present-day interviews, the flags will feature excerpted text connecting notable and unheralded historical figures with contemporary LGBTQ+ people. To emphasize the importance of inclusion in our movement we have assigned each color of flag to a subset of the LGBTQ+ community that we believe deserves increased visibility. We hope that the installation will provide passerby an opportunity to contemplate the experiences, dreams, and struggles of LGBTQ+ people and spotlight people on the margins whose voices deserve to be heard. The project is produced by Tre Borden Co.