Earlier right this moment, the New York Metropolis Metropolitan Transit Authority did what any proud new father or mother would do: Posted pictures of its new child on Twitter. After all, the MTA isn’t simply any father or mother, and its new child was one thing distinctive as nicely — an R211 prepare, set to start service on town’s A line.
However one of many 4 pictures posted by the MTA perturbed the Twitterati. It confirmed the inside of a automobile on the brand new prepare, filled with time-relevant satisfaction flags, however with a curious omission: The flags’ trans colours have been nowhere to be discovered.
The particular Delight flags proven on the shows within the prepare automobile are the Progress Delight design — a contemporary replace to the six (initially eight)-stripe Gilbert Baker flag, which added chevrons to symbolize POC and trans individuals. Within the MTA’s Twitter photograph, the black and brown chevrons are current, however the pink, blue, and white have mysteriously vanished.
Jalopnik reached out to the MTA, nonetheless, and discovered that the photograph is solely an instance of dangerous timing. The satisfaction flags within the new R211 prepare are animated, and the photograph on Twitter captured them because the chevrons have been flying onto the display – the trans colours merely hadn’t appeared but. The animation, in its full type, seems to be like this:
Each shade of the Progress Delight flag is represented on the trains’ screens, each within the flag animation in addition to the guts surrounding the MTA emblem on the finish. The photograph on Twitter could not have captured all the things, however the full animation doesn’t erase any part of the Progress Delight design. Whether or not animated satisfaction flags on subway trains are appreciated recognition of the range of NYC transit riders, or just a obscure gesture at illustration in lieu of any significant enchancment to the lives of queer New Yorkers, is its personal debate. However, no less than the brand new trains aren’t erasing any member of the neighborhood.
