Plot holders have noticed that some plots are flying flags and just lately more rainbow flags. A poster has appeared on the private Facebook Group and on the noticeboard around the allotment site today to explain why we are flying the flag. Those plots are designated safe spaces for anyone on the allotment site who identifies as LGBT. A place that people can go with questions or for support. The committee is dedicated to ensuring that the allotment community is accepting and supporting of all.
Why a rainbow flag?
Cast your mind back to 1978 what were you doing then? Artist Gilbert Baker designed the first flag after being encouraged to create a symbol of pride for the gay community by US official Harvey Milk that year. It is thought it was first flown in San Fransciso on a Freedom Day parade as a symbol of LGBTQ pride.
Looking for an object with high visibility that no-one could miss, Gilbert decided a flag was perfect. The eight stripes picking up on a rainbow, which is the light spectrum, with an extra twist. Each colour had a meaning. Hot pink for sex, red for life, orange for healing, yellow for sunlight, green for nature, turquoise for art, indigo for harmony and violet for spirit. So you might be eagle-eyed and see that not all flags are eight-colours, this was due to production issues! So the hot pink and the turquoise are often missing.
Plots for all.
The committee are always open to discussions of how to make our shared space encouraging to all. It is a rigid layout of rectangular plots, but managed by a keen group of volunteers who want to take it into the “third space” flexible and diverse – reflecting all allotmenteers. We all want the interaction between how it is conceived, received and where real life occurs to be harmonious and inclusive. People go to plots from the waiting list on a strict first come first served basis with no bias.
With plot holders covering many generations and life experiences we encourage sharing information and understanding. Social events are a good chance to do that. Each plot holder is welcome to volunteer for any community job and to stand for election to the committee as posts become available.
More flags welcome.
Weaste Allotments is there to serve the local community of Salford by providing a safe space for anyone to work a plot of land to create fresh food for themselves and their household. The more the merrier, and to that end, it is wonderful for us to have groups who take on a plot or two. It increases the number of people that are introduced to the benefits of working on and eating from an allotment. Here’s a wonderful example of a project with The Young Women’s Group (a peer health project) who took on a plot at a Manchester allotment to introduce young lesbian and bisexual women to growing.
So if you have growing knowledge and are interested in setting up something for a group you belong to please do contact our Secretary. We’ll also let you know about some of the other flags that you can find on the allotment in future News.