Iqaluit Raises a Rainbow Flag

This afternoon, Iqaluit joined the ranks of other Canadian cities like Montreal, Ottawa, and Toronto in raising a rainbow flag to show solidarity with and support for LGBTQ people the world over. Here’s how it happened:

It started with a single tweet:

So with Pride flags going up across Canada, should the GN or the City of Iqaluit follow suit? I think so, but that's me…

— Craig Welsh (@towniebastard) February 7, 2014

…and an amazing city councillor came to the rescue:

@towniebastard @geckospots @_anubha if there is a flag I'll take it over and ask for it to be put up

— Kenny Bell (@Kenny_Bell_IQ) February 7, 2014

Tweeps started tweeting in their support for the idea:

@petite_bb @Kenny_Bell_IQ @NunavutBirder @_anubha #Iqaluit #Pride yup, me too. Please let us know time.

— Kerry McCluskey (@McCluskeyKerry) February 8, 2014

@Kenny_Bell_IQ @_anubha Any luck getting rainbow flag flying over Iqaluit? Would be most excellent IMHO.

— Mat K. (@Knickelbein) February 9, 2014

@_anubha @McCluskeyKerry @petite_bb @Kenny_Bell_IQ @NunavutBirder Tell us when and where and we'll come in droves!

— Laakkuluk W. Bathory (@Laakkuluk) February 9, 2014

In the meantime, I reached out to whoever I could in search of a flag. Thanks to Bethany Scott, we found our rainbow!

@towniebastard @Kenny_Bell_IQ @geckospots I think I found a flag! Kenny, can I give it to you?

— Anubha Momin (@_anubha) February 8, 2014

And just like that, with one simple ask, a time was set to raise the flag:

@NunavutBirder @petite_bb @McCluskeyKerry @_anubha just got word it's a go, city will fly the flag with the city flag! Will happen at 2pm

— Kenny Bell (@Kenny_Bell_IQ) February 10, 2014

.@CityofIqaluit is going to raise a rainbow flag in support of diversity and inclusion at #sochi2014 and beyond. 2PM today!

— Anubha Momin (@_anubha) February 10, 2014

Iqalummiut came out to show their support, both in person and in spirit:

True pride for #Iqaluit, and Iqaluit for #Pride! #WeAreWinter #LGBT pic.twitter.com/3tQaeE4Zfb

— B.B. (@petite_bb) February 10, 2014

Pride Flag going up in front of Iqaluit City Hall. A good day in the cold. http://t.co/06xzBJzaXm

— Craig Welsh (@towniebastard) February 10, 2014

trying again… view from my office of the Pride flag in #Iqaluit, raised in front of city hall today! pic.twitter.com/B7TbdLTzzu

— ay bee (@geckospots) February 10, 2014

Rainbow flag raised outside of #Iqaluit city hall this afternoon, photo by @davemurphy_11 #Sochi2014 #Nunavut pic.twitter.com/HRXmsIDM3X

— Sarah Rogers (@sarah0rogers) February 10, 2014

The flag-raising ceremony lasted about twenty minutes. There were laughs, tears, lots of hugs, and necessarily, congratulations. Though the process seemed effortless, it was no less symbolic or important. For me, this was an incredibly meaningful gesture, professionally and personally. Thanks to everyone who came out, gave their support, and of course, extra big hugs to Bethany and Kenny for their integral role in raising not only a flag, but our spirits Scroll down for more photos from today. Thanks to Sandi Chan, who wrote the hilarious post “10 Ways Iqaluit is Like a Campus”, for the photos!

 Crowds gather for the raising of the rainbow flag.

Getting the flag ready to fly.

Canada, Nunavut, Iqaluit, and Pride.

Chatting with APTN News and CBC North, telling them that today, I am extra proud to be Iqalummiut.

• # iqaluit
• # life
• # pride